The Death of Engagement: Why Short Replies Annoy

Starting a conversation with someone is one thing; keeping them engaged is another. After receiving responses like "Hmmmm," "okay," "k," "whatever," and "LOL," I honestly can't decide which is more frustrating.

At that point, it becomes clear that the other person has little interest in continuing the conversation, which often means you're either boring them or—worse—they just don't care. This realization can be disheartening, especially when you've made an effort to engage them.

The feeling intensifies if the person is someone you genuinely like or, even more so, a crush. Getting a simple "k" feels like a slap in the face, signaling absolute boredom as if you're draining the life out of the conversation to the point where the only response they can muster is a single letter.

I can't help but wonder if this is their way of signaling disinterest or just a casual "I can’t be bothered" attitude.