Miss Manners: I told the tiresome texter to cut it out, and he got mad

DEAR MISS MANNERS A friend of mine has been keeping in touch with me by sending text messages that contain one sentence only How are you Jen Related Articles Miss Manners She was late so I left Was I the rude one Miss Manners Was I rude to ask where they got the swell walker Miss Manners We didn t realize we drank all the champagne for the whole plane Miss Manners I ve done this for years as a professor but maybe it s an absurd tradition Miss Manners I hate their dinnertime conversation but I can t just find new friends He never shares anything about himself nor does he show any interest in my life beyond asking that one question In frustration I texted him that I am delighted and eager to hear from him any time he has something meaningful to share but that going forward I will no longer respond to one-sentence text messages He was angry at this and I have not heard from him since What do you think of this behavior I am still a bit mystified by it and would like your opinion GENTLE READER In a world where long rambling text messages and lack of interest in others prevails it seems to Miss Manners that your friend s texts were both succinct and empathetic Unless you are not providing her with the whole scenario Once you tell him how you are and ask him how he is does he then go silent If it really is just the one sentence and then crickets Miss Manners will justify and share your mystification But it still does not warrant the tirade you unleashed upon him DEAR MISS MANNERS A friend who professes to love me behaved irrationally on a two-day visit to my house He says he is perpetually in a lot of pain due to fibromyalgia neuropathy and a tendon missing in his shoulder I have two disintegrating discs pressing on nerves in my lower back which is very painful During his visit I waited on him hand and foot while he lollygagged on a sofa He went to take a shower in my guest bath and apparently the shower did not work well He screamed and yelled at the top of his lungs slammed the bathroom door and then slammed the door to the guest bedroom He did not come out till the next morning when he advised me the toilet in the guest bath was plugged up and ordered me to take care of it I was livid and notified him to take care of it himself I felt altogether disrespected and felt he treated my home like a hotel He could have used the shower in my bathroom but didn t bother asking He also complained because there were no tissues in the bath but I have extra boxes and could have fetched one I would be interested in your thoughts GENTLE READER This is a very volatile relationship Related Articles Dear Abby I don t think I owe my diva stepdaughter an apology Asking Eric My wife thinks she s the reason they keep backing out of our plans Harriette Cole Why would you take the side of the food police Miss Manners She was late so I left Was I the rude one Dear Abby I take the fire stairs so I don t have to answer my neighbors questions If it survives this visit and you are willing to try again Miss Manners suggests you sit your friend down and explain that while you know he is in pain his behavior at your house was unacceptable If he wants to stay with you you would be happy to give him a tour of where everything is and how it works but that you will not tolerate screaming and slamming if things go awry Miss Manners further advises that this conversation will go better if you resist the urge to compete over your respective pain and injuries Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website www missmanners com to her email gentlereader missmanners com or through postal mail to Miss Manners Andrews McMeel Syndication Walnut St Kansas City MO