At work, I have a supervisor who sees my messages and simply chooses not to respond. Not because she did not see them. Not because she was unaware. She actually once said, very confidently, “I see your messages, I just don’t want to reply.” Even when the issues are important.

So recently, the tables turned in the most ordinary way. Her calls came in. Her WhatsApp messages dropped. I saw them. And for once, I did not rush to respond.

Now she is upset.

And that is the part that really caught my attention.

Silence feels different when you are the one waiting. When you need clarification. When the matter suddenly concerns you. All of a sudden, acknowledgement becomes necessary and response time becomes a big deal.

It made me reflect on how easily we normalize certain behaviors when we are comfortable, yet struggle to tolerate those same behaviors when the roles are reversed. What feels like control on one side can feel like disregard on the other.

This is not about revenge. It is about awareness. If delayed responses feel disrespectful to you, imagine how they may feel to others. Communication is not just convenience. It is responsibility.

Sometimes lessons are not taught through arguments. They are revealed through experience.

And sometimes, experience is the only mirror people truly see.