Emo Text From Stranger: Respond or Ignore?

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ohhaimom

Saved 6/25/10 to Cell Phone Rant!

Emo Text From Stranger: Respond or Ignore?

A few nights ago I received a confusing text from a number I didn't recognize right before I went to sleep. It was on my work phone, so I ignored it — certain it was a drunk dial or mistake. When I woke up, there were a flurry of emotional messages from a dad who seemed to have lost touch with his son and was reaching out to his daughter. It was sad, but I decided to ignore it again. Then, at 9:20 am, when I was settled at my desk and working away, he texted "Be smart! Use your head!" I felt compelled to reply back because his tone was so bizarre and I didn't want him thinking he daughter was ignoring him, but then immediately regretted engaging in the mess. So, I'm wondering, do you guys reply back when you get odd texts from strangers?

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la dee da dee 2 years 43 weeks

I would respond to let them know they have the wrong number but i would not engage in any other convo after taht.

ciaokatie 2 years 45 weeks

My mom's phone must be a really common string of numbers because she is always getting random texts for random people on her phone. She's even considered changing her number, because it happens so often (different people texting various people, not the same person). Last time she just wrote back "This is not ____. Please check your number." And the person wrote back and apologized for having the wrong number.

Ghostgirl 2 years 46 weeks

I always respond with a polite "Oh hey, wrong number! :)" type message. I figure if I sent a text to the wrong person, I'd appreciate a heads up that I had the wrong number instead of wondering whey they never replied.

Gdeeaz 2 years 46 weeks

I always respond. It's not like it takes some huge effort to tell them they have the wrong number.

gd101 2 years 46 weeks

ignore, def ignore :)

le romantique 2 years 46 weeks

I Always respond "Sorry you have the wrong number, this is ::insert my name here:" That way they don't think the other person is ignoring them.. AND so they know not to text me again!

socalbeachgal 2 years 46 weeks

If it was one text I would ignore but a situation like the OP I would respond the same way she did.

Akasha 2 years 46 weeks

I have been in this situation once before, but it was a girlfriend very angry because her boyfriend wasn't responding back. I texted her back telling her she was texting the wrong number, but she didn't believe me, until I told her I was a girl and she should check to make sure she dialed the right number. She later sent a text apologizing. I think answering back is the nice thing to do, but don't ever tell them your name or any information. Same when I get wrong number calls, if someone says who is this, I generally respond with "who were you trying to call?" That way I'm not being rude in case it is for me, but I'm not giving out personal information in case it's a crazy person.

carrothead 2 years 46 weeks

that's weird. i think you did the right thing, but i'd ignore the rest.

Yesi Jukebox 2 years 46 weeks

I usually ignore but not if I get more than 1 text..then it's really rude to ignore them.

MsTerious82 2 years 46 weeks

I usually ignore, but in a case like this I would have responded too, just so he didn't think his daughter was ignoring him.

skigurl 2 years 46 weeks

I would have done the same - something like "sorry, you have the wrong number" but if he insists and says "but i'm your dad" i would ignore or be more harsh. at least you told him so he doesn't think his daughter is ignoring him and he can redirect his caring messages.

Pistil 2 years 46 weeks

I don't usually respond to texts or calls from unknown #'s. I figure they'll figure it out.

LilGlamDiva 2 years 46 weeks

I have zero tolerance for people screwing with me. I would just be like "yea bye...." I don't have time for that stuff.