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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder if this text message accidentally sent to me was actually about me?

146 replies

NicoAndTheNiners · 27/11/2018 21:42

Step mum invited me and dd round for dinner this evening. My dad died a few years ago and we don't see each other often but do try and keep in touch. She married my dad when I was in my 30s so I don't know her that well but we've always got on fine.

So had a nice enough evening. Ate, made small talk and left. Did all the usual stuff of asking how she was, work, her mother, admired new extension, etc. I guess we don't have much in common so we don't get on like a house on fire but I think generally find enough to talk about.

About 5 mins after I left hers I got a gif text which said.

Bored
Bored
Bored
Bored
Bored.

Followed immediately by a text saying "sorry if I've just sent you an odd message, I can't control me new iPhone."

I'm paranoid she meant to send that message to a friend about me/the evening. She wasn't texting me about something else and clicked on a gif by accident as she'd no reason to text me.

OP posts:
Butteredghost · 27/11/2018 23:21

If it was anyone else, such as a date or a friend, I would think the same as you. But given how you describe her - older (in her 60s or 70s I assume) and doesn't use social media - I think it was an accident.

Its not being ageist to say that many people that age aren't as in to their phones as younger people, and can be awkward using them when new. My mum is 65 and she wouldn't know what a gif is, let alone think of sending one as part of a sassy text.

seventhgonickname · 27/11/2018 23:22

Reply,yes maybe lunch next time.

BertBox · 27/11/2018 23:30

GIFs are fiddly, and I've quite often sent messages to the last person I've messaged; rather than who I meant it for (luckily it's not got me in trouble... yet).

I'd just forget about it, it doesn't sound like it's anything mean.

Wallflowerfire · 27/11/2018 23:46

Was it WhatsApp or text? WhatsApp has a new gif keyboard thing on new update that pops up if you press the wrong button - AND it is pre-populated with trending gifs - it's not hard to think it could definitely be a mistake.

Highlandheath · 28/11/2018 00:06

If the evening was as you describe it, and if there had been an atmosphere I think you would have picked it up, given that you're sensitive enough to be concerned about the gif, then I would say it's an accident - I"ve sent daft gifs, accidentally, and insane spell checks, and the odd bizarre squiggle. You know how gifs work, you scroll through and hit one, its easy to make mistakes, so don't take it personally and just send a gif back that's totally random too... Please don't get upset about it! It will just make you unhappy! It was an accident! Lots of love, your step mum ... (;-D). Not really, but I do think it was probably an accident give here the benefit of the doubt, and don't let it weigh on you!

LiquoricePickle · 28/11/2018 00:10

If I even accidentally touch a gif on my phone I. It's been really awkward before.

Ariela · 28/11/2018 00:14

How do you know she isn't bored now you've gone home? Presuming she lives alone now.

JohnHunter · 28/11/2018 00:23

Does it really matter whether it was about you or not? You can't ever know but one thing that is certain is that people will sometimes say mean things behind your back. Maybe that happened this time and maybe it didn't. Shrug and carry on.

everybodypuuuuulllll · 28/11/2018 00:29

How do you know she isn't bored now you've gone home?

That's a good point! Perhaps she was bored thinking about the rest of the evening alone, not the previous few hours.

Atchiclees · 28/11/2018 00:34

My mum does this a lot, first time she sent a random gif to me and my brother and ever since he and I find bizarre gifs to send each other Grin

Vitalogy · 28/11/2018 00:34

I wouldn't jump to conclusions. Give her the benefit of the doubt. If it keeps bothering you, next time you meet up face to face mention it to her. You'll tell a lot from her reaction.

Aquamarine1029 · 28/11/2018 00:38

It was a text about you. Fuck her. I'd never bother with her again.

SuchAToDo · 28/11/2018 00:40

Op i think I'd be tempted to reply

So am I
So am I
So am I
So am I
So am I
So am I

But I don't know if I really would Blush

SleightOfMind · 28/11/2018 00:58

So many reasons this could happen (to me Blush).

If she was in the middle of txting you to say how much she enjoyed the evening and a friend sent her a message about e.g. Brexit, sports score, another friends attention seeking etc.
She (IBlush) could have easily sent a bored gif.

This happens to me a lot. I’m not to be trusted with multiple WhatsApp chats after 8pm.

What’s your own gut feeling though? If you think it was about you, you should definitely ask her about it.

Aus84 · 28/11/2018 01:22

She was probably just bored now that her guests had left and she was alone again. Not intended for you, but not about you.

ForgotwhatIcameinherefor · 28/11/2018 01:49

I accidentally posted a gif in comments on a Facebook post re gynaecological pain the other day. It was of a hamster splaying it’s legs out as it was picked up. Absolutely no idea of where it came from or how it happened! Never posted a gif anywhere before. Just saying! x

Vitalogy · 28/11/2018 01:59

That made me laugh ForgotwhatIcameinherefor

Nanna50 · 28/11/2018 05:43

Taking into account that you don’t want to fall out and speaking as someone who struggles to work a smart phone I wouldn’t overthink it.

I’ve tried Samsung and iPhone and I still send random texts, in the last few weeks I’ve accidentally liked a post about a death announcement and hit the thumbs down when someone said they could attend a function. I’ve sent texts to the wrong person even though I have enlarged my font.

I use my phone for browsing but can’t manage social media or banking or shopping on it. I could easily send a gif, sticker or some other random icon and have done so.

CaveDivingbelle · 28/11/2018 05:59

I'm on the fence here. It's possible it was about your evening...but. I have a phone which is going haywire at the minute due to a swollen battery. It rang our local council!! It's also sent a couple of random pics to an ex colleague Confused. So.....it could happen

Eponymous · 28/11/2018 06:04

I've definitely done accidental gif messages, you can be just browsing through them and they send.

Chouetted · 28/11/2018 06:09

@cavedivingbelle Er, are you still using it with a swollen battery? Don't!

Swollen batteries are a serious risk...

Monty27 · 28/11/2018 06:10

Txt her back simply asking if she meant you. Job done.
I don't think she did though.
Sorry about your dad and it was lovely of her to invite you Smile

MrDonut · 28/11/2018 06:25

You have no way of knowing if it was about you or just an accident, so I'd give her the benefit of the doubt.

CheshireChat · 28/11/2018 13:05

She probably meant she's bored as she's alone now, but thought she'd be digging herself in deeper if she started explaining.

So she'd probably meant it for someone else, but not necessarily unkindly.

HelloSunshine11 · 28/11/2018 13:40

I always wonder how so many people end up having huge fall outs with family and friends and this thread helps explain it, so much paranoia!

I'd be highly surprised if she meant to send it to anyone, and would take her at face value.

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