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Don’t Ever Ask Someone to Turn on Read Receipts—Especially After a First Date

By Aug 15th, 2019, 4:44 pm

Peter Parker looking confused, trying to figure things out in Marvel and Sony's Spider-Man: Far From Home

When one Twitter user went on a date, he thought he had a great time—and then his date texted him to turn on read receipts for their messages so he would know when he was being ghosted, and it truly turned into an all-out Twitter war on against the monsters (those with their read receipts on) and us heroes (we ghost you but you never know it).

EricD14’s date, apparently, went well enough that they were afraid of being ghosted on, but then, the tables turned, the monsters were unleashed into the world:

From there, the war to end all wars began. Tweets were flying, shaming of astrological signs began, and many of us questioned where our loyalties would lie if our loved ones had their read receipts turned on.

I’m just kidding; it was fine, but it is fun to look at everyone who is openly admitting to having their read receipts on! You’re braver than I’ll ever be, and very clearly none of you are Scorpios. We would never let anyone know when we’re ghosting them.

There were some … very strong reactions to the news, though, with many who were worried about the date in question.

Here’s the thing: Leave your read receipts on or don’t; it doesn’t matter, but do not dictate that someone else has to also have theirs on just because you’re afraid of being ignored. In the era of “ghosting,” follow up your text that was ignored with a “Great to know you didn’t feel the same about our date, thanks for the fun time!” and leave it be. You don’t have to creepily tell someone that they have to let you monitor how they’re handling your messages.

As one tweet says, that’s a red flag, and maybe it’s a good thing that this easily identifiable warning sign came up before things went any further. No one needs to put on their read receipts to appease someone else’s demands, especially because then everyone will know when you’re ignoring them, and no one needs that kind of stress in their life.

Anyway, never openly tell someone that you’re tracking when they ghost you. You’ve got to be sneakier than that.

(image: Marvel Entertainment)

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Rachel Leishman - Assistant Editor

Rachel Leishman (She/Her) is an Assistant Editor at the Mary Sue. A writer her whole life but professionally starting back in 2016 who loves all things movies, TV, and classic rock. Resident Spider-Man expert, official Leslie Knope, actually Yelena Belova. Wanda Maximoff has never done anything wrong in her life. Star Wars makes her very happy. New York writer with a passion for all things nerdy. Yes, she has a Pedro Pascal podcast. And also a Harrison Ford one.