Don't Overthink It Yes, being left on "read" could mean that you'll never hear from them again. But it could also mean absolutely nothing at all. The truth is that not everyone can respond as soon as they get your text every single time.
While being left on read can be confusing, it's also pretty common.
In all likelihood, your crush forgot to respond, and you'll hear back from them after you send a second text. But if this follow-up text gets left on read for longer than a day or two, it's probably time to move on.
If you're close enough to this person that you can call them out without offending them, you could just ask them why they left you on read. In the best case scenario, they'll apologize and tell you why. If they don't give you a response, it might be best to leave them alone, at least until they feel ready to talk.
What does left on read mean? In internet slang, a person is left on read when a recipient has read, but not responded to, a sender's message. The expression is often used to express feeling ignored.
Instead of beating yourself up or getting upset because you didn't receive an immediate response, think positively. However, if your message is left on read for more than eight hours, then it might be time to start panicking.
It doesn't mean they don't like you. It doesn't mean they are ghosting you or ignoring you on purpose. People get busy. Maybe they read it and then forgot to respond or got distracted by something.
Dry texting is what happens when someone gives you short, non-engaging replies in a texting conversation. It can also be super repetitive and just plain boring, says Claudia Cox, a relationship coach and founder of Text Weapon.
DON'T Double Text
A simple way to make matters go from bad to worse is by double-texting. Because when you're dropping an additional text or twenty after having been left on read one time, you're risking yourself to be seen-zoned yet again. And this time, it would hurt more.
Anxiety is one of the biggest culprits in making us feel as if the reason someone didn't reply was because of something you did or said. Sometimes it actually has absolutely nothing to do with you. People have busy lives; sometimes they may read a message and honestly completely forget to reply back.
It's natural to assume you've been ghosted when the texts stop coming. He'll probably take the hint and move on if you continue to leave him on read or barely respond. If you've only been on one date or haven't even met in person yet, chances are he won't take it too personally.
Being left on read tells you they were curious enough to read what you wrote but they ignored to reply back. Honestly, both are bad but when you think about being left undelivered it's wayyy worse. Also, if they leave you on delivered for more than 9 hours, you can consider that as being ghosted.
Mute or Leave if Needed
You can either completely leave or mute the text to give yourself some breathing room. But either way, do it quietly. "Leave discreetly, but let the person who took on a leadership role in the text know that you have left the text," Swann says. "That way you don't ghost someone."
Lastly, a text left on read can simply be a passive aggressive form of rejection.
Psychologically speaking, there could be a number of things going on: They could be stressed and not able to think through a response right now. They may simply not know what to say. They could be thinking deeply about what to say and how to respond, as they believe you deserve that. They may need some space.
To be “left on read” is a modern way of saying that you can't deal with this person right now or that your commitment to good communication is not there.
If you have given them the time to respond (at least 24 hours) and still hear nothing, sending a follow-up text can help clarify things. When it comes to deciding what to say when someone ignores your text (or if you should say anything at all), the context matters.
In modern dating, the 24-hour rule has replaced the 3-day rule. Instead of waiting the traditional 3 days to text a girl after a date, send a simple “thank you” text the next day. You can still wait 1-2 days to ask her on a second date, but you want to quickly acknowledge that you enjoyed her company.
Wait at least one day if you still want to double text.
If you still haven't heard from them and want to follow up, text them something lighthearted. The key is to be positive and casual here—they'll be more likely to respond that way, and you'll lower the risk of seeming pushy.
Cold texting is reaching out via SMS to a contact without their prior consent or permission. It's similar to cold calling and cold emailing. Some examples that would lead to cold texting include: Purchasing a contact list from a third party. Finding customers' phone information online.
Dry texter— nobody likes one-word replies.
The truth is, nobody wants a partner who is dull and uninterested. If they are not interested in knowing you— they are not interested in dating you either.
So, despite being a bit shady, both experts agreed that leaving someone on read can definitely work to make you seem more desirable — but it can be a mixed bag further down the line. Keegan explains that, as a seduction strategy, keeping someone on read can work. However, it can also appear like a red flag about you.
Of course it is. It's rude if a person takes the time to read it and then cannot take the same time to answer or at least say I'll have to get back to you later. Not the type of people I would keep in my life. What should I do when someone has seen my text but doesn't to reply or replies very late?
Chlipala says that some people leave their read receipts off for the very purpose of not wanting to respond right away. This allows them the time and space to approach the text and answer it when they are ready or available.