I know common consensus here talks about “never texting back immediately”, because it shows you are too available / needy. I think there is value in the opposite approach. Text back immediately, and take the initiative.

One, I feel like this places too much value on the importance of timing. I personally like to respond to everyone as soon as possible, because I like to not have hanging tasks or responses (I’m an inbox zero type of person).

Second, the pettiness of it. I despise pettiness and passive-aggressive behavior. If someone wants to play the game of “you took 15 minutes to text back, so I’ll take 30, and now your taking 35 so I’ll take 40,” I have no interest in continuing.

And third, it’s fine if you can’t text back immediately. I just like to send over a, “hey, busy right now, will get back to you later.”

I feel like the whole text game & strategy gets way overblown when it doesn’t need to be that complex. Text back when you can, whether it’s now or later. But turning it to this petty little back and forth about “who can act like they care the least” is childish.