Read, Ignored, and Left Waiting

The excuse that someone is “never on their phone” is overrated. Hearing that someone could not read your text because they have not been on their phone or simply did not see it often feels like total nonsense. Nowadays, we use our phones for everything. In fact, they have practically become our lifeline. We use them for GPS navigation, mobile payments, web searches, entertainment, and, of course, communication. For many of us, our phones are glued to our hips, and we are rarely ever without them.

So, when you are sitting by your phone waiting for someone to respond to your text message or return your call, it becomes increasingly frustrating—and even hurtful—because you begin to feel as though you are being blatantly ignored. For instance, if you reach out to someone and it takes them multiple days to reply or return your call, it is easy to assume that you are not a priority to them. When someone genuinely wants to speak to you, they usually put energy into doing so. 

Of course, it is understandable that people get busy and may not have a chance to reply at that exact moment. However, being busy is not an excuse to ignore someone altogether. What is even more frustrating is waiting for someone’s response while watching them post on social media. How is that not a clear example of being ignored? It can even feel as though you have to catch them at exactly the right moment before they disappear again and you do not hear from them for another five to ten business days. 

Mentioning the issue can also feel incredibly awkward because there is a risk that you may come across as the bad guy. That is why it often feels easier to sweep the problem under the rug—but why can we not simply be upfront about it? If anything, the person doing the ignoring should be the one who feels awkward. 

Then come the usual excuses: “I saw the text but forgot to reply,” “I saw your message but got busy,” or “Oh, I thought I responded.” Although those reasons may occasionally be true, hearing them repeatedly can make them difficult to believe. 

When you take the time to contact someone, it means you thought about them and genuinely wanted to hear from them. When they do not reciprocate that same energy, it can make you wonder whether you said something wrong or if you are even worth their time. Why leave someone questioning themselves and stressing over what they may have done when you could simply respond? Eventually, time passes, and if you stop being the one who constantly reaches out, you may never hear from them at all. Inevitably, the relationship begins to fade. 

It is unclear why certain people behave this way. If you do not want to talk to someone, be upfront and honest. It may still hurt, but it will hurt far less than leaving someone waiting and wondering. A relationship should not feel like a monotonous game of phone tag or as though you are constantly talking to yourself. Responding to someone is a common courtesy, and if you cannot even do that, it may say far more about you than it does about the person waiting for an answer.