Dry Texting – What It is, How To Spot And Work Around It?

You probably heard of the phrase “dry texting.” I certainly have and have even experienced it both ways.

Let me just tell you that it is not that the most pleasant thing, to say the least. It sucks when you are at the receiving end of it.

It feels slightly mean to be the one giving it. But that is just me.

I am used to peppering my texts with exclamation points, smileys, and long sentences.

Okay, maybe the person on the other side may have started to get bored with those. So, they send a dry text.

Dry texting happens when someone just decides to message you with “okay,” “uhuh,” or the ever-formal, “yes,” or “no.”

I get even more upset when these one-word responses come with a period in the end. It’s like the person is directly telling you that, “I have the time to add that extra punctuation, but not to make you feel okay about my answers.”

 

How do you know it is dry texting?

I mean, what if this guy or girl just happens to be awkward? I have been there. I was not quite sure what I would say. So, here are some questions you must ask yourself:

• Is it part of his/her personality?

Some people are just “dry” naturally. They care, but they do not go, “Yes! That sounds like a great idea.” They will probably text you, “Sure,” or “Okay.” 

If you know the person well enough, you may also see if he is like that all the time. There would have been a texting pattern, as well. Even if the responses are typically short and cold, he still continues to respond to you. 

A long series of dry responses still means that the person is still keeping up with your texts. It is not a lot of fun on your side, but at least you are not trapped in the seen zone in apps.

 

• Did something change?

If you know the person for quite some time, you will notice a change in the texting pattern. Did the person use to be a lot more verbose? If that is the case, something is a little off – unless he is working a new, more demanding job!

 

• Were there any variations in length and warmth? 

Now, we all have off days. I certainly have. There are times when I just could not muster a long sentence or two. If I want to sleep early on a particular night, I will send short messages. That usually does the trick. 

However, it does not mean I am always like that. If I want to keep a friend or a romance, I will give extra effort. I don’t like playing games. Apparently, though, some people do.

 

• Who initiated the messages?

 Now, here is the rub. If the person started sending you a message, then suddenly he is gone; what does that even mean?

 It is like he took a piece of cheese, tied a string around it, and then dangle it over you – you poor little mouse. Then, he cruelly pulls it away from you and sometimes even gobbles it himself.

 

What should you do if the dry texting continues?

If a person cannot be bothered to give you time, you should not tolerate it.

Everyone deserves a proper conversation. Yes, there will be times when you will get one-word responses, but there should be more on other days.

It cannot go on.

How you deal with it has something to do with just how much you want that person in your life. If you think something else is up, confront the person.

An old friend or lover who turned cold should provide an explanation. You deserve that, for sure.

However, if this is a new guy or girl just scoping you out and letting you pounce on that dangling cheese, run away quickly.

This person likes playing games. Who’s to say this won’t continue after the relationship has progressed?

 

What else could you do?

If I meet a new guy who asked for my number but never sent any texts, I would say, “bye-bye” – literally and metaphorically.

I would not even dare send him a text.

If this new person started off okay and then tapered off, I would do the same thing.

An old boyfriend complained about how I never initiated texts. I did respond to all of his texts, though, in varied warmth and length.

Funnily, though, he started complaining because he was on the way out of the door.

Hopefully, when you do confront a friend or lover, it does not come with your own hidden agenda.

Don’t start interpreting the short responses negatively just because you have already set yourself up to say goodbye.

Once you realize that the person is truly dry texting you, do not give it more excuses.

Stop right there! The messages have made you feel hurt or confused. What if you turned around and did the same?

What do I mean by that? Stop texting. Better yet, send off one-word texts back.

This way, they would hopefully realize that you are not going to play that game. If it was not a game but rather a rapid deterioration of interest, then you have just cut it off mercifully.

 

To conclude…

Dry texting is a sign of someone playing games, lacking any interest, or lacking imagination.

None of these sound good, to say the least. So, cut off any dry texters from your life.

However, make sure that you don’t do it, as well. It isn’t cute, at all!