How quickly do you text back? Whether you're prompt and on the ball with your responding because you rarely have your phone out of your hand, or you like to step away from technology every now and again to try minimise your screentime, the likelihood is that your nearest and dearest will be able to accept your texting habits.
But one woman was left baffled after her partner verbally attacked her for taking too long to reply, sending passive-aggressive chases, accusing the original poster of "ignoring" her messages, and because she'd had such a "tough month" she didn't take kindly to the tone.
The woman took to Mumsnet to explain that she and her partner don't live together and haven't been seeing each other loads due to the difficult month, but they try to call and text as much as they can.
She wrote: "Yesterday one of the school mums suggested going to the pub after school. It's a local village so just a walk from school. There's a child's play park there too. There were four school mums in total and my son got to play with his friends and I got some adult company which I don't really get in the evenings or most of the day at the moment.
"I had a soft drink as I was driving and it wasn't about going out and getting drunk just socialising really. I was there for a total of two hours and my son was having a lovely time. For those two hours, I didn't look at my phone as was obviously busy.
"My partner had text me a few times with just pics of her and her daughter at the park. When I hadn't replied for an hour and a half I got 'hello?' So I replied 'sorry I've been at the pub after school and hadn't a chance to look at my phone.' She replied 'oh you're one of those parents are you'."
The woman was baffled at what she meant by that, wondering at why her partner felt the need to have a dig at her.
"I replied and said 'one of what? One that has a soft drink whilst speaking to friends and my son's enjoying himself with friends.'", she continued. "I reminded her what a tough time I've had recently and thought she would be happy that I'm out rather than inside alone.
"Then she said 'well you took ages to reply.' I reminded her that sometimes she can take two or three hours after school to reply but apparently I'm not thinking of her and ignoring her.
"Am I being unreasonable to be annoyed and refuse to apologise? I feel like I've done nothing wrong."
In the comments, people branded the woman as 'controlling', with some wondering why she was being so demanding.
One wrote: "If somebody sends me a text I assume it doesn't need a timely response, because they'd ring if it were important. I couldn't be doing with having deadlines imposed on me to reply to messages. You're absolutely not being unreasonable but you need to nip this in the bud."
"How petty of her", someone fumed. "I wouldn't have time for that and I'd expect an apology."
Another raged: "Of course you've done nothing wrong. She is being controlling. You are, of course, allowed to not look at your phone for two hours."
A Mumsnetter pointed out "there's no obligation to reply to a text instantly." She continued: "The real issue is that she didn’t like you socialising.
"People who expect immediate replies don't like when your attention isn't focused on them or waiting for them to get in touch.
"If I am honest I would have had none of it with the 'you are one of those parents'. She isn't happy you weren't sat at home and so had a dig at your parenting. Even as a one-off, I wouldn't have that."
"No...tell her where to go. You're not her f***ing employee", another said.
Have you got a relationship drama you want to share? Email: danielle.wroe@reachplc.com
