To think WhatsApp group members should acknowledge message

[Salahdor]

I’m a member of several WhatsApp groups, eg family members group, work team group, street group. The biggest group has 20 members, the smallest has 5. Am I wrong to expect WhatsApp group members to acknowledge posts?

At times I post something and no one replies/acknowledges despite me knowing they’ve seen. Sometimes the messages I post are a “does anyone want this for free” offer. Am I being unreasonable in thinking other group members should acknowledge/reply to these. Even when I’m busy I’ll acknowledge even if by posting an emoji where appropriate . For the bigger group of neighbours I don’t always reply but if someone was offering to give something for example that’s relevant to me (eg unwanted dog food when we have a dog) id acknowledge their offer even to say no but thanks.

Am I unreasonable to expect a reply (and to find not replying rude?)

@Teenagers2grownups0

Wow, I’m shocked by the vote tbh OP.

I’m with you, a polite no thanks or no sorry I can’t etc really doesn’t hurt anyone.

A lot of the time, I don’t have the energy or headspace for conversation, even via social media. If I am that drained, I don’t respond if I think it could turn into a conversation.

I hope the people who know me, know that I can’t always engage in conversations, and it doesn’t mean I’m being rude.

I won’t die if I respond, and end up in a conversation I don’t have the energy for, but I prefer to be frugal with what energy I do have. It makes life a bit less difficult.

@Salahdor - I'm going to agree with you here.

I've been part of friends/shared interest WhatsApp groups & semi-regularly posted (probably the same amount as anyone else), but people often didn't acknowledge me. Same with class parent WhatsApp groups - some people always had acknowledgments/replies, but no one bothered with me.

Now I know that no one owes me a conversation, but there were times when it made me feel quite down that no one wanted to interact with me.

So - realising it was as much my issue as anything (I hated the idea of being needy & affected by this so much) I decided to leave the groups. It was the best thing I could've done. I still have slight FOMO, but better that than how I was feeling before.

If it's all sorts of messages they don't reply to then that may be different. In my experience, some people in groups try to respond to everyone to be kind / inclusive while others only reply to certain people they particularly like or only post when they have something to say. You may notice a pattern but you'll still need to manage your expectations. Maybe mute the group if it helps so you only go on when you want to.

You should work with 8yr olds, you’d love it.
If I ask my class,
‘Who has a dog?’ they don’t just answer if they have a dog.
They say ‘I have a cat!’
‘I have 5 chickens!’
‘I used to have a pony but it died’
‘My Grandma’s next door neighbour has a goldfish!’

Surely they’re only going to answer the text if they actually have a reply worth reading.

YABU

Last message on one of my groups (school) was

"Is there anyone who is not actually involved in the production tomorrow but coming along to watch? Do you fancy volunteering? We need helpers"

Tumbleweed

I read the pop up on my phone, if the chat is something I am interested in I will reply, if Im not interested then what is the point in engaging?

Do you post on every thread on here to acknowledge you have read it? On every FB status? Or just the stuff you are interested in?

I don’t respond unless it interests me.
So do you want a kitten?
No response, unless I want it.

@HelplessAndLost

You should work with 8yr olds, you’d love it. If I ask my class, ‘Who has a dog?’ they don’t just answer if they have a dog. They say ‘I have a cat!’ ‘I have 5 chickens!’ ‘I used to have a pony but it died’ ‘My Grandma’s next door neighbour has a goldfish!’

Surely they’re only going to answer the text if they actually have a reply worth reading.

@HelplessAndLost so true! "Has anyone been to France?" "I've been to Italy!" "I've been to Egypt" "I've been to Legoland" 😁

I wouldn't respond because that's the benefit of WA you can I've seen it so no need to reply. Text or messenger you can't so would always respond there.