How long does it take a guy to text back if they are still interested, and how long should I wait before assuming he's not?

Question

Met a guy we talked for hours. It was a good Convo. We laughed we flirted. The longest he went without texting me was about 2 hours. And that was only because he was working. However, out of nowhere it changed. Suddenly he stopped texting me all together an hasn't even looked at the message I sent. At first I just assumed he's busy and have just kind let it be but, It's been a full 24 hours and I have been ghosted in the past. So. Just wondering how long do I wait to see if he texts back?

Summeroflove · Accepted Answer

This depends on the situation if you’re texting someone when they’re at work or asleep if it’s non important it’s reasonable to not get a immediate response. If someone’s taking days… you know they have time to post on social media but won’t text you back… Uh oh. Days isn’t reasonable and if there is a reason for it they will tell you.

But a sudden change… Oh that’s not a good sign. Sure, after time meeting someone maybe you text a little less often. But still are putting effort in.

Number one, and it pisses people off when I say it. Cowards ghost. It’s also a game to sone people. Keep people interested in them without closing it off in case nothing else works out as well as feeding narcissistic egos. As for others, they found someone else or lost interest but are just too cowardly to be direct. As if not responding isn’t going to piss someone off more then being direct… stupid but true.

If you’re making all the effort. If someone genuinely wants you they will show it back. Even if busy they will tell you they’re busy. They won’t flat ignore someone. Maybe he has some personal life issues? Give it time. If he just doesn’t respond you can shoot another text but if he keeps ignoring you. Don’t blow his phone up. Just be mature if you need to grieve. Do so… and you’ll be glad you moved on

slatyb · Accepted Answer

Time and tide wait for no man, and neither should you. It sounds like he´s not that into you. ¨Waiting¨ implies not doing something else until you decide that this relationship is over. Perhaps you mean ¨When should I give up hoping for a response?¨ That´s not the right question. In new relationships you may have high hopes, but keep your expectations low. You went on one date. You communicated by text for a while. Then he stopped responding. Sorry, but it´s over. If he were still interested, he would be responsive.

Noredcarpet · Accepted Answer

This may sound awful of me but my experiences tell me guys will text so fast like 90% they do. It has been that I work slower as texts do not interest me thar much, talking and seeing one another does. My attitude has gotten me in trouble. I had to be open, frank that it is not my intention to be disrespecting, it is that we have different attitudes regarding what text messages mean. It has been stressing me out. If they are busy or working or me too I get that it can be troublesome to be texting. With the experiences I have had guys like my partner will tell you in advance that you won't hear from me, then and then, because they do not want you to get insecure like you just got, I presume. I have learn they esoecially text you in the evening, good night, and all that. I would not if I were you text him. Wait. If he has not gotten in touch with you reasonable time it could be sadly he has ghosted you I suppose. Says more about him than about you.

PeachyPie93 · Accepted Answer

Just wait it out..
If he comes back he comes back if he doesn't he doesn't..
They always will tell you why they didn't write you with an excuse if they like you.. so just don't put all your eggs in one basket..

Finchie40 · Answer

If I really like a girl , I wouldn’t wait that long to respond back to her , it only takes a few seconds to text someone back , so unless he has a valid reason as to why he didn’t get back to you sooner, I you are best to keep your options opened

DishLady · Answer

3 days to call used to be the running policy. Texting… tbh a guy who is text only is just friends in my book. A guy who gives a damn enough to want more will call.

Bitter_Sweet94 · Answer

Every guy has his own rhythm, but interest has a pattern, it doesn’t hide.

If a man is genuinely into you, he’ll find a moment to text back the same day,
even if it’s short, even if he’s busy.

Interest doesn’t go silent for long.

If he’s taking 24 hours consistently with no explanation,
that’s usually your sign he’s not prioritizing you.

I’d give it a day maybe two if you know his schedule is intense, but after that, I’d stop assuming he’s “busy” and start assuming he’s just not choosing you the way you deserve.

fishcake_buttie · Answer

To be honest... Most guys do that, text a lot at first and then stop because they are also dating other women, ranking women as backups - then they suddenly start texting again if things don't go well. Sometimes it can be because of a death in the family or similar and they are too overwhelmed.

If I was into you the way you would like I would be calling, mainly to find out what you are doing so we can go out because I don't like talking on the phone. If I was going to be distant for a while, I would say why and say "I'll be thinking of you though".

NoOneEver · Answer

This is more an anxiety issue than anything.

We as humans end up wanting something almost immediately after we know we like it or want more of it. So we begin the foolish move of now focusing on it way too much which makes our personal time feel like it’s moving slower.

Essentially we self sabotage. Best thing for you to do is go about your life with your interests and hobbies as normal again and realize that everyone else also has their lives to live.

Go off your gut instincts if he does eventually respond back. Until then, just enjoy and love your life.

genericname85 · Answer

don't chat using a stopwatch. that's toxic as fuck. not just for them also for yourself. it is understandable that your previous experiences might have taught you a fear of abandonment. like you don't know what's going on in their life. i find 2 days a reasonable break if then there's also a phase of re-connection. after 3 days with no message, i'd consider it being ghosted unless maybe they had some accident or whatever.

so yeah. a question i'd have to you is: why are you "waiting" for his texts? if you say it like that, it sounds like there's not much going on in your life besides his chat.

dontgofalling · Answer

Nobody likes to wait and feel like they're played with, and nobody likes to be seen as an over-available under-busy pain in the ass.

There's one best way to deal with it, and that's to
be patient,
not make assumptions,
not take anything personally,
stay optimistic and none judgmental,
know your boundaries,

and also, to understand, attraction is a game too,
it's nice to miss people and it's nice to be missed,
it's nice to know that the person infront of you would (metaphorically) rather eat you like a delicious meal that you eat patiently to enjoy and cherish it yet still have some left, rather than take you like a cigarette every time they need a dose.

Nikki1989 · Answer

Here is a novel idea: actually talk to him. People talked once upon a time. Some still do. Imagine that!  If that is real age, you should know that better than most of the texting idiots on here.

msc545 · Answer

You don't need to do anything at all. If he texts back, he does, and if he doesn't, he doesn't. I wouldn't get all worked up about it. Women are notoriously sensitive to not being texted back in a timely fashion without understanding that men work and we do other things, and we can't always text you back immediately. You should get over your anxiety about this, really.

OneViewpoint · Answer

There’s….. Is he interested?  Does he observe common courtesy? And is he missing his balls? This guy is failing on all 3 counts. Have some self respect. Put him in your rear view mirror.

beenherebefore · Answer

If you guys are not in a relationship yet he can take as much time as he needs and so do you. There's no magic number here but I'd say if you didn't hear from him in a week move on and don't answer back if he contact you again.

Staximus · Answer

Sometimes my phone doesn't get texts. I can't stand texting somebody all day, it's tedious. Just text me for a few minutes straight, or make a phone call if you actually give a fuck and want to talk to somebody like an adult

Shiprex · Answer

It's not long enough yet to give up but maybe he was just testing the water with you and has cold feet now.

SeriouslyNotSerious · Answer

As long as he's alive. 😂🙏 But seriously, how long have you two been talking?

KittygosMeoWW · Answer

He was testing out other connections, you dropped down the priority list. When he’s interested you’ll know, they don’t stfu and are easy when they like you.

Anonymous · Answer

It’s only 24 hours. He could be just super busy. I would wait at least a few days before assuming he ghosted you. Did anything change in the last convo you had with him?

MJVillarama · Answer

If he’s interested, he usually replies within a day or so. If it’s radio silence for a few days, move on, don’t wait around.

Danny_dan92 · Answer

Depends what they do for work and how busy they are

jahaims · Answer

Guys aren't pre-programmed robots lol. It depends on the guy and what he has going on.

Likes2drive · Answer

Maybe a day or two but maybe his phone broke or was. lost

Smegskull · Answer

Depends on if the previous message warrants a response and how long it takes to come up with a sufficient one.

RedInnocent69 · Answer

Honestly, it depends. Not all of us are glued to our phones all the time

noohair · Answer

To me texting is like email. It does not require an immediate answer.

LiamJHayden · Answer

If he's interested he'll call.

BarryLiverstone · Answer

Wait a day, then send a text

Anonymous · Answer

About 3-4 days.

almamoseic · Answer

Maximum a week, depending on his life.

Anonymous · Answer

5 seconds minimum, 24 hours maximum.

lorenzomichael · Answer

3days

In_Trance · Answer

Move on

How long does it take a guy to text back if they are still interested, and how long should I wait before assuming he's not?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

How long does it take a guy to text back if they are still interested, and how long should I wait before assuming he's not?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.