Why can't you just read and run?

[Chocfingers]

If you've nothing useful to add to a thread, why not just move on instead of writing "couldn't just read and run"?

BigGreenOlives

Interesting. So then maybe it's not 'vritue signalling'

virtue

BigGreen

Sorry! I misunderstood your last post. Hadn't read the one before

I've done it as a sort of cyber hug thing. I might not be able to help but just want the OP to know they are not being ignored.

I know when I've posted something tough in the past I've found it... reassuring? comforting?... to know people had read my post and appreciated how tough it was even if they had just posted a bunch of flowers or something.

It's horrible when you post something (stupid or important) and no one replies.

It's a nice way to bump a thread, that's all.

Bump your own thread!!!

The very idea.

Because it feels like voyerism to read someone's pain and slink off without acknowledging it.

I did exactly this earlier in the week. The OP was upset and nobody had posted on her thread. It was an acknowledgement and also to ask her a genuine question as well.

It keeps the post in active threads. It also helps people who are upset to know that they aren't being ignored.

I don't do it myself but on a couple of my threads people have done it and I prefer it rather than feeling completely ignored.

Chocfingers

What do you think?

I’m always suspicious of people who use the expression ‘virtue signalling’ about the actions of others. Nothing to do with cynicism on my part, and all to do with finding it needlessly unpleasant.

No need to virtue signal on an anonymous forum on which you can change name very easily.

No need to virtue signal, no... Although I do think quite a few posters pride themselves on their particular persona, whether that's being humorous, being kind and supportive, telling-it-like-it-is, or whatever.

Don't see the problem.

I think it's a virtual hug.

On here, people ask for advice and people post advice and that's how this website works. [In AIBU, sometimes you get your arse posted to you on a plate].

In my real life, my friends have made it VERY clear that they don't want advice, they want empathy.
In my real job, it often isn't appropriate for me to give advice, but (again) to give empathy.

So when people "read and run" what they're giving IS empathy. They're saying "I hear you" (which is huge if you need to be heard) and they're acknowledging that.

Loads of posters don't want "advice", they want to be heard and acknowledged and (most of them, including me) want to know that people get where they're coming from.

Reading and running does this.

Surely the OP can bump their own thread.

Yes and injured people can perform their own first aid or call their own ambulances.

Distressed people can give themselves a hug and make their own tea.

Infirm people can open their own doors and return their own trollies.

But it's not nice to pass by silently when someone is having a tough time.

How many people have told you it's a way of being nice?

I agree