how to tell someone they're a boring texter
CULTURE

How to Tell a Someone They’re a Boring Texter—and Not Make It Awkward

Before jumping into the conversation, it’s essential to clarify why their texting feels boring to you. Are their responses too short, unengaging, or slow?

Do they fail to reciprocate the effort you put into conversations?

Recognizing the specific problem will help you communicate it effectively rather than making a vague or overly critical statement.

Consider Their Communication Style

Not everyone prioritizes texting the same way.

Some people prefer in-person conversations, others are better at phone calls, and some just aren’t expressive over text.

If your friend is wonderful in person but dry over messages, it might not mean they’re uninterested—it could just be their natural style.

Before assuming it’s a problem, ask yourself if it’s something you can accept or if you truly need more engaging text conversations.

The Best Way to Bring It Up

If you decide to address it, your approach matters.

You don’t want to make them feel like they’re failing some social test. Instead, make it a lighthearted, observational conversation.

1. Use Humor to Break the Ice

One of the easiest ways to bring this up without making it awkward is to joke about it.

For example:
“I swear, texting with you is like playing a game on ‘hard mode’—you never give hints or bonus rounds!”

or

“I can’t tell if you’re busy, uninterested, or just conserving your energy for a dramatic plot twist later.”

This keeps it playful while still signaling that their texting style isn’t doing it for you.

2. Compare How You Both Text

Sometimes, people just don’t realize how different their texting style is from yours. You can say something like:

“I feel like I’m always the one throwing the conversation forward, but I’d love to hear more from you! Do you just prefer super short messages, or am I just over-texting?”

This gives them a chance to explain rather than feel accused. Maybe they didn’t realize their responses were too minimal, or they might tell you they prefer phone calls, which leads to a different kind of solution.

3. Be Direct, but Friendly

If you want to be more straightforward, you can say:

“I love chatting with you, but sometimes texting feels a little one-sided. Are you just not big on texting, or should I take the hint and call you instead?”

This makes it clear that you’re bringing it up because you value the friendship, not because you’re annoyed.

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Adjusting Expectations

Once you’ve had the conversation, you might need to adjust your expectations. If they acknowledge it and try to improve, great!

But if they say they just aren’t into texting much, you have a choice to make. Can you accept that about them and find other ways to keep the friendship engaging?

If they’re amazing in person but lackluster in text, you might shift to voice notes, calls, or meeting up more often.

What If They Don’t Change?

If they recognize the issue but don’t make any effort to change, it might be worth reconsidering how much you rely on texting for connection.

Some people will naturally match your energy, while others won’t, and that’s okay.

However, if the friendship starts to feel one-sided in more ways than just texting, that could be a sign of a larger mismatch in effort.

Telling a new friend they’re a boring texter doesn’t have to be an awkward confrontation.

In the end, friendships thrive on mutual effort, so if texting matters to you, it’s worth bringing up—but always with warmth and understanding.

Below is an in-depth exploration of what might make texting feel boring to people of different genders.

This isn’t about blaming one style over another but rather understanding the subtle cues that can sap energy from a conversation.

The explanation uses clear, everyday language while digging deep into the logic behind these perceptions.

1. Predictability and Repetition

Both men and women often crave surprise or a spark in conversation.

When every text follows the same formula—one or two words with little variety—it can quickly feel like a loop.

For example, if someone always replies with “cool” or “ok” without variation, the conversation loses its dynamic character.

The absence of variation signals that the texter isn’t taking a creative approach or investing in the dialogue.

A lack of spontaneity can make any conversation, regardless of gender, seem dull.

2. Lack of Personal Connection

A text exchange that sticks only to surface-level comments without diving into personal stories, opinions, or feelings tends to feel flat.

Men may notice this when a conversation never offers a challenge or opportunity for debate, while women might miss the emotional and relational depth that builds intimacy.

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When messages don’t invite a personal connection—through anecdotes or genuine questions about one’s day—the conversation can feel as if it’s missing the spark of a human connection.

A chat that feels more like a transaction than a dialogue loses its vitality.

3. Absence of Intellectual or Emotional Play

Many people value a conversation that engages both the mind and the heart.

A text thread that simply lists facts or routine observations without any creative twist can feel lifeless. Men, in particular, might find it boring when texts don’t offer any intellectual challenge, such as witty remarks or thoughtful questions that provoke reflection.

Women, on the other hand, may perceive a lack of emotional nuance as a sign that the texter isn’t interested in sharing or exploring feelings.

Whether it’s humor, clever metaphors, or thoughtful analogies, both genders often appreciate when a texter ventures beyond the mundane.

4. Monotony in Expression

Sometimes, what makes a texter boring is the absence of expressive variety.

If every message follows a rigid structure, it doesn’t mirror the ebb and flow of a natural conversation. Men might feel that the conversation lacks rhythm when every reply sounds like a formulaic response.

Women might find it uninteresting if the texts don’t change tone, pace, or style to reflect the emotional shifts in the conversation.

A dynamic exchange—one that adapts in style to different topics or moods—is generally more engaging than a conversation that never varies.

5. Missing Intriguing Questions or Observations

One key element that spices up a conversation is the art of asking the right questions.

Texting that relies solely on statements rather than inviting input can become tedious for anyone. Men often enjoy a challenge, a question that opens up room for debate or deeper discussion.

Women may appreciate questions that show genuine interest in their inner world or daily experiences.

When a texter does not pose any thoughtful questions or fails to offer surprising observations, the conversation can quickly become one-dimensional and uninteresting.

6. Over-Reliance on Standard Phrases and Emojis

Standard phrases and overused emojis, when used without thought, can also contribute to a dull texting style.

Although emojis and familiar expressions help convey tone in text, an over-reliance on them might suggest that the texter isn’t putting any real thought into their messages.

Men might see this as a lack of originality, while women could interpret it as a missed opportunity to truly express one’s self.

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A text conversation that leans too heavily on clichés rarely feels authentic or engaging.

7. One-Way Conversations

A conversation that doesn’t flow in both directions feels draining regardless of gender.

If one person is always initiating new topics or sharing personal insights, and the other merely responds with short, unvaried replies, the conversation loses its momentum.

Men might be turned off by a lack of intellectual sparring or banter, while women might be disappointed by the lack of emotional reciprocity.

A good text conversation is a balanced dance where both parties contribute equally to its direction and energy.

8. Minimal Use of Context or Storytelling

Storytelling has a magnetic quality. Texts that fail to share context, narratives, or even small, quirky details about one’s day tend to feel uninspired.

Men may find this boring if the conversation doesn’t invite them to challenge ideas or add their own twist to the story, while women often value the details that lend personality and emotion to the narrative.

Without storytelling elements, texting can become as bland as reading a list of facts with no connective tissue.

9. Absence of a Shared Creative Spark

For many, the most memorable conversations are those that create a shared moment of creativity—a playful banter, a sudden burst of inspiration, or a collaborative joke.

When a texter never offers that “aha!” moment or doesn’t take a risk by mixing humor with insight, the conversation may fall flat.

Men might feel that the dialogue is lacking a mental challenge, whereas women might sense that the connection isn’t evolving into something deeper or more engaging.

In either case, a conversation that fails to invite joint creativity tends to feel boring.

10. Unchanging Tone and Energy

A conversation that maintains a single tone—be it overly serious or constantly casual—can feel monotonous.

While consistency is sometimes valuable, a lack of modulation in energy or mood can signal that the texter isn’t invested in tailoring the conversation to the moment.

Men might find a never-changing tone unrewarding when they’re seeking a spark of playful competitiveness or thoughtful debate, while women might be left wanting more emotional variety.

A vibrant conversation typically adjusts tone to match the unfolding narrative, keeping both parties engaged.

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