to think you should reply to a text within an hour or 24hrs absolute max?!

[kirsten123]

It takes seconds, seriously! And it's easier just to reply straightaway than to have to remember to do it later.

I texted a friend of mine re meeting up in a few weeks. 48hrs later - no response. Now, meantime, I'm having to keep that day free for her!! Now I understand she might be checking her diary or whatever but cldnt she text "checking diary will get back to you". Instead of me having to wonder "should I check to see she got the text or is that going to annoy her?"

FWIW she has no DCs.

But digressing away from textings, I prefer watsapp for sorting out group nights, just add everyone and everyone sees all at once.

YABU We live in area of poor signal & sometimes texts just appear even days later and often out of sequence to when they were sent. Standing joke with our friends. Works both ways. A friend sent a text to cancel a lunch which arrived 24 hours late. I sat at the cafe for 30 mins before ringing her to ask if there was a problem. Even if we had perfect signal YABU.

YABU and come across like you are entitled to dictate your friends behaviour where you have no right to.

People are so glued to their phones its ridiculous. I see plenty of drivers who can't leave their phones alone when they are driving, people texting as they are walking and expect you to move out of their way as its your fault if they walk into you. When out for dinner I always see plenty of people who barely talk to each other as they are constantly on their phones. I had an ex who had the cheek to have a go at me for not replying to his texts - he preferred that I spent an hour texting him back and forth continuously then have a 'real conversation'. Like I don't have any thing better to do then sit for a hour watching my phone for the next message to come through so I can instantly reply. Yeah I dumped him pretty quick.

Your friend isn't expecting you to hold that day so if you don't hear from her in what you consider a timely manner than book something else in.

*I wantses to institute a law called:

The Time Limits of Communication Responses (Text Messaging) Act 2014.*

And I'll request that they institute a law called:

You are Not the Centre of the Universe (Entitlement) Act 2014.

I'd guess that she's keeping her options open and seeing if a better option comes up before making a commitment to you

My phone spends too much time in my hands for Mumsnetting purposes so I mainly reply to texts and whatsapps withim the hour. However I cannot bear to talk over the phone so when it rings I just ignore it (unless I am waiting on a call).

Ill then text an hour later "sorry I missed your call, whats up?" and just pray they text back rather than call.

YANBU to expect a response within 24 hours but sadly not everyone would agree so its probably best to make your peace with it.

YABU. If someone wants an instant reply, call me. I am not chained to my phone and I refuse to feel obliged to reply. So what if I'm showing as active, I am active on my phone possibly doing something else!

I reply to texts within a few minutes if I can, if not I reply as soon as possible. If someone has taken the time to text me they deserve the courtesy of a reply The same with emails, a reply is a natural courtesy.

pauline - I think most would say a reply is courteous. What isn't courteous is demanding a time in which you should expect a reply for an non-emergency/ non-work purpose.

We all managed when we didn't have mobiles and whilst mobiles are convenient especially in letting someone know if a train is delayed when you are going to meet them it does not mean it should replace normal verbal communication. Messaging is the most impersonal way of communicating and is definitely not a way to have a conversation.

I do not understand the attitude " if someone wants an instant reply call me "

Ringing someone is much more intrusive and time consuming than a text. You have to stop what you're doing and speak to someone. If you don't stop what you're doing and miss the call you have to ring them back.

Odd sense of self importance not texting someone back as soon as you can.
Especially to so called friends and family.

Sometimes it's just lower down on the 'to do list'

text her and ask if she can do the date. Say you don't think you can keep the date free for much longer

But midnite what is the difference between texting and ringing?

Ringing requests much more time.

You have to immediately stop whatever important thing you all seem to be doing and speak to someone.

I'd rather a text any day.

I don't like speaking on the phone.

Ringing - ok

Texting - ok

Expecting a reply within a certain time frame, especially when you haven't told the person you sent the text to that you expect all texts to be answered in such and such a time, is rude.

OP, must I still reply within a day if my friend has sent me 10 random texts about whatever was in her mind at that moment? And must I reply to each one individually or is it OK to do one big text that covers everything.

Just checking...

another one reminding people of how electronic communication actually works. You cannot assume that a text or an email has been received. You only know if you have communication if you make a PHONE CALL and the other person answers.

I also have received texts sent two days earlier. They don't always get through.

this is without the OP's serious lack of manners....

You would definitely sack me off as a friend, I sometimes take weeks to reply to texts, I forget about them, but then sometimes I'm a bit too laid back and it must annoy people but I'm sorry I just can't be bothered to break a sweat over stuff like that. If someone doesn't get back to me I make other arrangements, if the date is gone, then it's tough isn't it really.

You are being ridiculous. Why have you made her responsible?

Make other plans. If she replies say you didn't hear back so you're busy now.

hands you a grip