Give it a few days (or even a week).
If you've waited more than a week and still haven't heard back from him, it might be time to move on. It's really hard when a guy flakes out on you, but there are other people out there for you! You deserve someone who appreciates you and your time.
Time-sensitive messages should be answered as soon as possible, while you have more time for nonurgent ones. But not that long. Gottsman, speaking "from a polite factor" believes you should respond within a day.
Be Patient and Give Him at Most a Week to Respond
It can be disheartening to spend hours waiting on a text that doesn't come but it's important to remain positive about it. Chances are either he is busy or maybe holding back for a few days to not seem “desperate”.
See if he responds 3 days after the date if he's old-fashioned. Even though not a lot of people do it anymore, some guys follow a “3-day rule” where they wait a few days before they reach out. Guys think waiting makes them sound less desperate, so they may feel more comfortable texting you at that point.
But you shouldn't take it personally as there could be many reasons behind your guy not texting you back for extended periods. For instance, he might be busy at work or in the personal sphere, hoping that you would text him first, doesn't want to sound needy, or is simply not good with virtual communication.
Say, for example, the three-day rule. Popularized by the romcom, the three-day dating rule insists that a person wait three full days before contacting a potential suitor. A first-day text or call is too eager, a second-day contact seems planned, but three days is, somehow, the perfect amount of time.
Reaching out less rather than cutting him off makes a guy miss you. You don't have to completely stop texting to get his attention — just slow down how often you reach out. Shoot him a text once or twice a week instead of every day so he has a little more space.
A week gives the person enough time to thoughtfully respond.
Even though it's a little old-fashioned, some people will wait 3 days after a date to text you back to make you miss them more. Waiting any longer than a week could be a sign they're not interested, and it might be best to let the conversation die out.
It is not the same for everyone, but here is a rule of thumb: wait at least a day and no longer than three days. This time frame will help you avoid looking desperate or annoying. At the same time, it is not so long that she will think you have forgotten her.
Dry texting is what happens when someone gives you short, non-engaging replies in a texting conversation. It can also be super repetitive and just plain boring, says Claudia Cox, a relationship coach and founder of Text Weapon.
Yes, guys sometimes wait for you to text first.
While some guys like to make the first move, others are a bit shy. Don't be afraid to make the first move! Pay attention to how the guy acts around you. If he smiles and talks to you, he might like you back.
If it has been less than a couple of days then try to not let his lack of contact bother you. There is a good chance he is busy and this is nothing to worry about. Get home from work, put your phone on aeroplane mode and avoid checking your WhatsApp status or social media activity. You have your own life to live.
If they are texting you often, that's a clear sign that they want to pursue a relationship with you. Conversely, if they hardly text you and seem aloof, then they probably aren't that interested in you.
If he continues to ignore your feelings or brushes them off, then you'll never be able to have a healthy relationship with him. If he doesn't care about your opinions, thinks you're overreacting, or doesn't respect your feelings, then don't wait around for him.
If the two of you have been talking already and you're thinking about initiating a new conversation, then you're in the clear to send him a quick hello. If he's been contacting you already, then he obviously enjoys talking to you. In this situation, you should be perfectly fine to send him the first text this time.
The Compliment Text
Here are a couple of such examples of these texts that will make him chase you: "I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your sense of humor." You always manage to make me laugh." "That was such a thoughtful gesture you made yesterday. It really meant a lot to me."
He might not worry too much about not hearing from you—he might just think you are busy and will get back to him when you can. If you have a newer connection, or this behavior is new, he might think you are playing hard to get, texting another guy, or even ghosting him.
However in Strauss' book, the three second rule is a very different concept. It refers to the idea that when guys see a woman they fancy, they have three seconds to approach her, make eye contact, or strike up a conversation before she loses interest - or he bottles it.
Under the 90/10 Rule, you base where you should live on the factors that will affect 90% of your life. (The “90” and “10” numbers are not to be taken literally here; instead, they stand in for “the majority of your life” and “the minority of your life,” respectively).