"I didn't want to read and run"

[saraclara]

Seriously, don't do this. What's the point? What does it even say to anyone? It adds nothing to what follows. How does it help the OP, who is generally posting about something distressing?

The ridiculous thing is that almost always, people who start with this phrase then make a perfectly average length post below it, just like everyone else.

Aaaaargh. It infuriates me. AIBU? (hint: I'm not)

Hi OP, I didn’t want to read and run, but I haven’t really got anything to add so ehm, someone wise will come along soon. Byeee

😝

Didn’t want to read and run - I’m sure someone else will be along in a minute who has an opinion on this.

Sorry I didn’t want to read and run but just wanted to say, I agree OP 🤣

Hahaha @PuppyMonkey I beat you to it😂

Great minds and all that 😂

It shows empathy and bumps the thread

Sometimes empathy is underrated compared to the crap advice on here

I hate you all!!!

I don't mind it, though I've never actually posted it.

To me, it just says that the poster doesn't necessarily think they have much to offer in terms of constructive, informed advice, but want to offer a hand-hold/acknowledgement/a bit of compassion to the OP while they wait for said advice to arrive.

I think it's quite nice, tbh. Doesn't annoy me.

The honest translation of “I didn’t want to read and run” is “I’m placemarking for updates”.

Didn't want to read and run, but thoughts and prayers dallyn xxx

I read and run all the time.

@saraclara you must have seen it coming😂😂😂

@Pleasebeafleabite

It shows empathy and bumps the thread

Sometimes empathy is underrated compared to the crap advice on here

So just type what you want to say. Even if you only have time to say "I am so sorry you're going through this, wishing you all the best"

This stupid phrase adds nothing at all. You'll have shown empathy by posting the above.

It actually means exactly the opposite of course. But while I can't be arsed to give this thread a properly supportive agreement, I'd not like you to think I was reading and running.

I've never done it but I assume it also bumps up the post so more people may end up seeing it as it'll end up in active discussions?

@PurpleDaisies

The honest translation of “I didn’t want to read and run” is “I’m placemarking for updates”.

Shit. You're right. Which makes it even worse. Now I'm even more annoyed with those people.

@TheMarmaladeYears

It actually means exactly the opposite of course. But while I can't be arsed to give this thread a properly supportive agreement, I'd not like you to think I was reading and running.

It's the guilt! They aren't the least bit interested but feel bad as no one else has replied.

Yes.

The phrase is all about the person who's replying. Which is the opposite of empathy. It's saying 'please like me because I'm going to this effort for you even though I'm busy'

I guess there’s a time lag between technological advances and our brains catching up. When we read a post it feels as if each of us might be the only person reading it, and as if our degree of attentiveness will somehow be communicated (psychically?) to the OP. And mostly we’re polite and more or less caring and don’t want to brush past someone in (mild, respectable, relatable) distress.

Thankfully, after a decade here I’ve just about grasped that no OP is waiting for my response. So I’ve stopped wasting minutes of my life trying to fashion a comforting reply if I have nothing substantive to offer.

“So just type what you want to say. Even if you only have time to say "I am so sorry you're going through this, wishing you all the best“

But that’s effectively what it means. I wanted you to know someone’s heard you.

Also agree it bumps the thread.

I think the ones that say ‘Sorry I haven’t read the thread but here’s a suggestion that 15 other people have made so far & which the OP has already either tried or explained won’t work’ are more annoying.

I can sort of see where your coming from. But maybe its a way of bumping the thread before it falls off the radar.

YABU. When I've posted threads asking for advice, I have appreciated the people who didn't have much to advise but didn't want to leave my thread languishing at the bottom of the page.

I think it's a small kindness, that those with cynical hearts don't understand.

Pretty soon it will be forbidden to to use a smile emoji on this board, if some had their way

@Babyvenusplant

I've never done it but I assume it also bumps up the post so more people may end up seeing it as it'll end up in active discussions?

This. It's a bump usually so the OP gets on the radar. How many times have you dipped in and then out of a thread with no replies yet which really need them? Threads can drop off really fast during a busy time and it does no harm to bump it and then check it later.

@Viviennemary

I can sort of see where your coming from. But maybe its a way of bumping the thread before it falls off the radar.

But you can bump a thread just by saying 'I'm so sorry you're going through this'. And it's just as quick, and doesn't make the post about the poster rather than the OP.