By Olivia Skofteland ’14

“You’re such a bad texter.” I’ve heard this phrase many different times from many different people in my life. Usually this occurs after someone texts me and I don’t respond. People of our generation have this sense of entitlement when it comes to text messages; they feel like if they text you, you’re obligated to respond, no matter what the message is.

In some ways I don’t disagree with this logic. If someone has something important to say that needs an immediate answer, or a friend I haven’t seen in a long time texts me to catch up, or someone texts me something interesting like an inside joke, then sure, that message should be answered in a timely fashion. But if my friend I just saw an hour ago texts me with a burning desire to know “wassup” I’m not responding. I literally just saw them, nothing has changed since then, and so we’ll have nothing to talk about. That conversation will go nowhere, which means I’ve just wasted my time exchanging pointless messages.

Besides, chances are if I don’t respond right away to a text, it means I’m doing something else way more important than hearing the thrilling tale about how you’re “just chillin lol.” Sorry I didn’t pull over on the side of 108 so I could read and answer your text about the weather; I guess I thought driving safely had priority over your message.

And then, it gets worse, because there are those people I like to call the double texters; you know, the ones who send you multiple messages when you don’t respond to them. No offense, but if I didn’t answer your first pointless message, what makes you think I’m going to answer the next five? I even have my read receipts on so you know exactly when I read your message. You need to get the hint that if I don’t answer you right away, I’m not going to. There’s no need to waste your time and effort sending me another text that looks something like “Helloooo???????” Instead of feeling offended that I didn’t respond to you, wait until you have something important to say to text me, and then I will respond. The ability to reach anyone at any time by a text is both a helpful tool to utilize, and an annoying time waster. Think about which category your message falls under before you send it.