Poll: Replying to a message immediately: Weird or not?

[SckizoBoy]

I usually spend a couple moments thinking of an appropriate response...

Then going off to do something else...

And forgetting to reply...

*shrug*

 

[Wadders]

I don't think so. Surely if you are available to reply, then it's good manners to do so?

It's harder than it sounds though, IM is easy, but I'm one of those awful people who wont reply to a text for about 1/2 an hour or so sometimes, for no good reason other than laziness

 

[DannyJBeckett]

Nah, it's not weird. I always respond to messages as soon as I get them, well, provided I can respond to them, that is (I get into some strange conversations).

 

[Soviet Steve]

I reply whenever its convenient for me, if I am present when I get a message and I can reply straight away then hooray for you, if not then you wait.

 

[Floggo]

I don't see any problem with it. I'm keeping the people I'm talking to on their toes.

 

[Qitz]

Insta-reply. Who gives a shit if they think your always at your computer when you ARE at your computer?

Know whats really weird? Pretending your busy or "too cool to answer you right away." You really think that's going to impress someone who just send you a message to, you know, chat? It's not like their going to go "Oh. My. God! He took 35 seconds to respond, OH GOD HE'S SO COOL HE DOESN'T EVEN NEED TO CHAT WITH ME!"

That's more of a loser action than responding right away. Right away just seems proper. Do you wait a while when someone verbally asks you a question to make them think you're deep in thought?

 

[thenumberthirteen]

I always respond at my earliest convenience. That is I finish what I'm doing then reply. I try to reply as quick as I can because if someone sends me something and they want a reply then why should they wait? I've spend whole days doing essentially nothing because I'm waiting for a reply from someone about doing something.

As a matter of fact I am supposed to be going out with a friend this afternoon for lunch. Thing is I sent a text asking what time at about 10:00am, and haven't received a straight reply. I need to go to the shops, walk the dog, play some games, and I just got the complete Stargate Atlantis on Blu-ray, but I don't want to start doing something, and have to cut it short because she doesn't reply to texts.

It's a stupid social convention that a lot of people encourage. I see it as a massive waste of time.

 

[Togs]

As soon as humanly posible, its common courtesy after all.

 

[RedMage]

It's not weird at all. It just means you're online at the same time. Now, if it's repeatedly instantaneous regardless of the day or time, then I'd say it says more about the individual than of how weird the situation is.

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

What could possibly be wrong with it? If anything your giving the person who sent the message immediate results. Thats a win win.

I never understood that wait 3 days after a date ether. If you want to go out again do it before you leave to go home, geesh.

 

[mParadox]

I usually reply as fast as I can. Of course, when I am busy, expect a response no later than 2 hours. Maybe 3. It's annoying and I honestly feel bad if I don't reply within 5 minutes of the message.

The problem is, if I leave an unattended message for later, I forget it's even there in the first place.

My mind wanders... sometimes.

 

[Shidira]

I always reply as fast as I can, though sometimes that might not be until much later if I'm busy. In today's technology heavy society, it's really not that weird to reply fast, since everything is practically instant.

 

[Memoriae]

Say you get a facebook message, text, or e-mail or whatever, and you happen to be there right when you receive it, and you're available to respond. Would you reply immediately, or would you wait a while before replying?

Personally, I usually wait a little before replying so it doesn't seem like I'm always on the computer or whatever, especially for e-mail. Immediate replies on e-mail seem weird to me. It's definitely silly to think that instant reply = weird loser, but it kinda seems like that's how a lot of people think.

Email or official text? As soon as I get a watertight answer for the person. I have SLAs to stick to, after all, and the less time spend procrastinating means my day goes smoother.

Facebook? Yeah, good luck with that, I rarely check it, despite being on the PC most of the day, it only has people who I personally know, and of those, they all have my mobile number, and all know that it's quicker to get in touch with me via SMS than it is to use something as stupid as Facebook.

 

[Noxman]

I hate it when you're on actual chat and someone won't reply in a timely fashion.

I don't mean email or messages but IM within facebook or MSN. I always reply immediately,
we're having a conversation, and I always hate it when I reply but they seem to think its
ok to leave it 2-5 mins at a time (e.g. pretending their talking to loads of people, sigh,
I know you, I know you are just refreshing your ex's page or summat (ugh facebook)). Its
audacious and rude imo.

I think if you have the capacity to reply there and then, no matter what medium, then bloody
well reply and get over your perceived inadequacies about people thinking you aren't busy or
something. If they know you're at home what are you busy doing? Surfing ain't exactly busy,
jerking off is the only viable excuse really

 

[Betancore]

I reply as soon as I see it, usually. I mean, if I'm online, then why not? I know a lot of people who expect instant responses, actually, but I figure that there's no point in trying to make people think I'm not just a geek with no life.

 

[Jedoro]

Most times, I'll respond immediately. I get all that on my smartphone, which I keep in my pocket or hand at all times so I'm easy to reach if I'm needed. Except at work, because there's something stupid about the building that blocks cell phone signals.

 

[Whispering Cynic]

Why would it be weird? If I can answer immediately, I will. It's not polite to make people wait unnecessarily.