People often take a long time to reply when they’re very busy at work or travelling and don’t check messages. Sometimes they need to think carefully about the reply, especially if the topic is complicated or sensitive. Time differences can also cause delays.

Replies are often slow when the recipient is juggling heavy work commitments or travelling across time zones, so they prioritise urgent tasks first. Equally, if a message involves a sensitive issue — say a complaint or a job negotiation — people may delay because they want to craft a careful response or consult someone else before replying.

Sometimes people don’t reply at all because they didn’t see the message or it went to spam. Other times they might ignore it on purpose, for example after an argument or if they don’t want to talk.

There are several reasons for no reply: the message may have been missed, filtered into spam, or the person might be deliberately avoiding contact — commonly called ghosting — especially in personal disputes. In professional contexts people might not reply because they’re protecting privacy, delegating the matter to someone else, or simply deciding not to engage.

If I don’t get a reply I usually wait a few days and then send a polite reminder. If it’s urgent I might ring them or try another contact method. I try to be patient but clear about the deadline.

I’d send a short, polite follow-up after about a week, restating the main point and giving a clear deadline or options for action. If it’s time-sensitive I’d switch channels — a brief phone call or a message via a different app — and keep the tone courteous, assuming there’s a reasonable explanation until proven otherwise.

Many people prefer messages because it’s less interruptive and they can reply when it suits them. Messages also leave a record, which is useful for details like addresses or times.

People often choose messaging because it’s asynchronous — it lets you reply when convenient and avoids putting someone on the spot. It also gives time to compose a clear, edited reply and creates a written record, which is handy for practical matters like meeting times or agreements.

I show respect by using polite words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, greeting the person properly and signing off with my name. I try not to be too casual with someone older or more senior.

Respect in messages is shown by using an appropriate tone and formality — for instance, addressing someone by their title if the context requires it, opening and closing politely, and keeping the message clear and concise. I also acknowledge receipt of information quickly and apologise if I’ve made a mistake, which shows consideration.

Some people feel angry because they think they are being ignored or disrespected. They may worry the other person doesn’t care or is being rude.

Anger often stems from expectations and perceived social norms: if someone expects prompt replies, silence can feel like rejection or a challenge to their status. In addition, in urgent or professional situations a lack of reply can have real consequences, which increases frustration and can be read as a lack of respect.