My SMS confession.

I’m an SMS addict, who jumps up in joy no matter how insignificant that SMS is. As long as there’s a 'closed envelope' on my cell's screen, I get super excited to read what’s in there. I never leave an SMS unread, never. The problem of course, is in replying. There have been times when I’ve ignored multiple sms's from the same party, and they think I’m cross with them. Here’s my explanation:

When it comes to communication in general, I’m kind of a skunk. I hate to pick up phone calls, many a times ignoring them (and then guarding the landline lest someone else should pick up). It’s not like I don’t have the answers, or am afraid of what awaits me at other end. Nothing like that. I’m the master of my own life and I don’t really care for what anyone thinks. I’ve observed my behaviour—almost an out of body experience—and I’ve noticed that it’s a sort of unwillingness to succumb to someone else’s will of making me do something that I didn’t want to in the first place. It’s either that, or I’m a cat (what sense does it make?? ).

I understand that the day I signed up for an email address, or got a phone number, I signed the unwritten agreement to respond to any incoming communication. The rule states that if I’m cool with the person, I have the time, and the answers, even if it’s an “I don’t know”, I need to send back that communication. This rule of course carries over from our offline conversations, the one we have in our day to day lives. Unfortunately, electronic communication has its faults in the indirect way it presents itself. If someone asks me a question point blank standing right in front of me, I can reply. If someone asks me a question on the phone (after me having picked it up mistakenly), I can reply. But SMS, an incoming call, etc. are all indirect forms of communication, where if I don’t respond to the communication, it’s believed that its’ not yet acknowledged, and I’m off the hook. That’s my lazy explanation to it at least.

So the next time you send me an SMS (which by the way is still the best way to get in touch with me), and I don’t reply, please don’t take it out on your dog. I don’t usually like dogs, but whacking them for when it’s not their fault is not something you should be doing. *never kicks dog for no reason*. Instead, know that I’ve read your SMS, silently acknowledged it, and am on my way to acting upon it (if I have chosen to do so). There are of course exceptions to this, and that’s usually when I just don’t like you.....