Who should text first after an argument with a friend?
Both at fault
The short answer
Whoever caused the argument should text first. When each is waiting for the other, both are at fault for the silence.
The ruling
From the public record. Names are replaced with roles.
Small claims division
Case no.PC-2026-00588
The friend whose birthday was missed v. The friend who forgot the birthday
Filed 10/06/2026
- Plaintiff
- The friend whose birthday was missed
- Defendant
- The friend who forgot the birthday
Statement of claim
She forgot my birthday. I did not say anything and stopped texting her. That was two weeks ago and she has not texted either.
Charge
Missing a birthday, followed by a mutual silence of two weeks
Judgment
Both at fault
Two friends found both at fault for a missed birthday and two weeks of silence
Sentence
The defendant texts first tonight and acknowledges the birthday. The plaintiff answers within an hour and accepts coffee.
How the court usually rules on this
The court looks first at the original offense, here a missed birthday, and assigns it. It then looks at the silence that followed, which usually belongs to both. Two weeks of waiting is the point where the court tends to find shared fault, because both had a phone.
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