Have you ever received a text that just said “WSG” and didn’t know how to respond? “WSG” is a common abbreviation for “What’s good” used as a casual greeting among friends. But replying can be tricky – you want to sound natural but engaged. In this post, I’ll share some tips for responding to “WSG” like an experienced communicator.
Quick Hits
Trying to come up with a response on the spot? Here are some top picks:
- Just keeping it moving. How’s your day going so far?
- Living the dream, can’t complain. What have you been up to?
- Not too much, just taking it easy. What’s new with you?
- Doing alright, keeping busy. What’s the latest on your end?
- Just cruising along. What have you got going on today?
- Keeping my head above water. Filling you in on anything interesting?
- Same old, same old. Anything exciting happen with you lately?
- Just flowing through. Catch me up on what you’ve been into.
- Living the best life. What’s the good word with you these days?
Keep it Casual
The first thing to remember is that “WSG” is meant to be an informal check-in, not a deep discussion. Your friend is just seeing what’s new and hoping you’re doing well. So your response shouldn’t be too serious or elaborate. A light, casual tone is ideal.
For example, you could send back something simple like “Not much, just chillin”. Keep it short and laidback to match the energy of the original text. Your friend isn’t expecting a lengthy status update – a few words will suffice. The goal is to continue the chat in a relaxed, low-pressure way.
Express Gratitude for Checking In
While staying casual, you can also express appreciation that your friend took the time to see how you’re doing. A friendly “Thanks for asking!” or “Thanks for hitting me up” pays respect to the gesture. This approach balances keeping things light with acknowledging their thoughtfulness.
Your friend will feel their text was well-received without you having to divulge your whole day. And it sets a warm, polite tone for continuing your conversation. Expressing gratitude is a small act that can meaningfully impact how connected you feel.
Share Something Positive
Another tactic is to share a quick positive if you have something nice to report. This gives your friend a upbeat snippet to boost their day.
“I’ve been putting in the work at the gym and starting to see some results. Really feeling motivated lately.” or “Just got a raise at work, feeling blessed!”.
Keep it brief – just a short sentence or two. Too much detail might come across as bragging. But a tiny positive sprinkled in responds to “WSG” productively while maintaining a lighthearted spirit. Leaving the interaction on an up note makes your friend happy they checked in.
Ask How They’re Doing Too
The exchange of “WSG” implies your friend is interested in your wellbeing and vice versa. So it’s a nice courtesy to flip the question back and ask about them too.
“I’ve been keeping myself occupied with various activities. But enough about me – how have you been spending your time lately?”
This shows you care about them equally and want to make sure they’re also doing alright. It invites them to share if they have any updates of their own. A two-way dialogue starts to form instead of a one-off question. Your friend will feel heard and appreciate your interest in them as well.
Suggest Continuing the Chat
If you both seem open to chatting more, suggest carrying on your conversation through a follow up text. Phrases like “Lemme know if you wanna catch up more later” or “Hit me back if you want to kick it this weekend” keeps the lines of communication flowing.
This gives your friend an easy invitation to keep chatting without the pressure of responding immediately. It acknowledges both your schedules may be busy but leaves the door open to connect down the road. Sustaining social connections takes effort – little gestures like this help nurture your relationships.
Add Humor for Laughs
A lighthearted joke or playful response can also go over well. Of course, gauge what type of humor your friend enjoys first. But replying with a silly gif, meme or witty quip introduces laughs to an otherwise plain exchange.
For instance, if they asked “WSG” while you were grocery shopping, you could send a photo of yourself surrounded by carts of food with the caption “Livin’ like Larry over here!”. Shared laughter fosters intimate bonds between friends. Just be careful not to offend and keep it light.
Express Eagerness to Hang Out
If you’re both free immediately, communicating enthusiasm to meet up in person can strengthen your relationship. Say something cheerful like “Not much, want to grab lunch?” or “Pretty bored actually – come kick it with me!”.
The right balance of casualness and excitement shows you genuinely enjoy their company. It says “I was hoping to see you!” without sounding too eager or dependent. Spending quality time together forms the deepest friendships. Seizing small chances to connect face-to-face is important.
Suggest an Activity
When proposing to get together, throwing out a potential activity gives your plans more shape and substance. For example, “Want to catch the game at the bar tonight?” or “Let’s go for a hike this weekend if you’re down.”
Specifying an idea like this sparks additional interest versus a vague invitation. It sets initial expectations of how you’ll spend your time together without needing definitive commitment. And it shows thought was put into crafting an engaging experience for both of you to enjoy.
Offer encouragement
If life feels heavy for your friend, reply with messages of empathy and care. Say something uplifting like “You’ve got this! Here if you need anything” or “This too shall pass – keep your head up.” Express confidence in their strength and ability to get through tough times.
Heartfelt words of encouragement during difficulty can deeply touch someone. It conveys you’re in their corner without judgment. A comforting response costs nothing but means the world when someone is down. Helping each other through hardships is what good friends do.
Suggest a Phone Call or Video Chat
If their text gives you the impression more in-depth conversation is needed, offer a call or video chat as an alternative to back-and-forth messaging.
“Let me know if you have some free time coming up when we could connect over a brief video chat.” or “Give me a ring if you want to talk through something.”
Especially for dealing with challenging topics, hearing someone’s voice can bring far more comfort than texts alone. It says “I’m here for you in any way that works best.” A phone or video connection fosters deep understanding when empathy is required over casual small talk.
Respect Brevity Sometimes
Remember “WSG” may just be a quick social nicety without need for a lengthy dialogue. So don’t feel pressured to send War and Peace if they clearly seem busy. It’s fine to keep responses concise, like “Doing well! Chat soon.”
Forcing a discussion where none is wanted risks coming across as needy or oblivious to their schedule. Respecting your friend’s time shows consideration for their other obligations too. A zippy reply maintains rapport without overstaying your welcome in case they must bounce.
Balance Receptiveness and Authenticity
The goal in answering “WSG” is finding the right mix of being receptive to your friend while staying true to yourself. It’s a balance between engaging thoughtfully with what they said versus dominating the interaction with only your issues.
Notice subtle social cues like brevity of their text or shift in topics as signs whether or not they wish to delve deeper. Adjust accordingly instead of rigidly sticking to preconceived responses. This builds understanding through fluid, authentic conversations rather than rigid formulas.
Express Willingness to Listen Too
While keeping an overall positive, lighthearted energy, make sure your friend knows you’re equally willing to listen if they need an empathetic ear. Phrases like “I’m around if you want someone to vent to” or “Two ears always open over here” subtly convey this support.
Balancing receptiveness with expressions of availability cultivates richness in relationships. Others feel heard and understood, strengthening trust and intimacy over time. It’s a reminder that friendship is a two-way street of giving and receiving support as needed by either party.
Suggest Alternative Chats If Texting Isn’t Best
Especially for sensitive topics, say something like “If you prefer chatting elsewhere though just let me know.” This leaves the door open to more private spaces like a phone call or video call versus messaging. It communicates discretion if a texted back-and-forth isn’t their top preference.
Suggesting alternatives puts your friend at ease to open up however suits them best. Good friends make each other feel empowered to communicate however they feel most comfortable. Valuing consent and their comfort in all interactions builds deep reliability in the relationship.
Respond with Care, Respect and Empathy
Above all, the art of replying to “WSG” comes down to showing care, respect and empathy. Listen with compassion to understand their experience rather than just reply with auto-piloted responses. Adapt your communication to support what they specifically need in that moment from you as their friend.
Caring means leaving judgment at the door and embracing them fully for who they are. Respect means honoring how they wish to engage or setting boundaries with kindness. Empathy means walking in their shoes with an open, non-critical heart. These human qualities foster rich bonds that last.
Use “WSG” to Strengthen Other Relationships Too
Don’t just reserve responding thoughtfully to “WSG” for your closest friends and family. You can also use it as a way to deepen connections with more casual acquaintances as well.
Sending an occasional “WSG” to colleagues, neighbors, classmates or members of social groups you’re part of is a low-effort way to show them friendly interest. It opens the door to strengthening what may currently be surface-level relationships.
Pay attention in your response to find common ground or ask thoughtful questions to learn more about them. Express willingness to connect further in person sometime. Over time, formerly distant relationships can evolve into good friendships through earnest efforts at outreach like this.
Strengthen Community Bonds
Particularly in neighborhoods where most people know each other in passing, using “WSG” is a novel way to nurture a sense of community. Check in with different neighbors occasionally to signal your investment in relationships beyond just your closest circle.
By waving, smiling and exchanging casual pleasantries frequently, residents collectively build goodwill and the comforting feeling of living somewhere safe, inclusive and looking out for one another. Strong community ties improve quality of life for people of all backgrounds.
Foster Inclusion at Work
In professional settings, conscientiously reach out to new team members, junior colleagues or those from differing experiences than your own. Forming connections across usual divides enriches workplace culture and sparks innovation through diverse perspectives.
Subtle actions showing care for everyone’s wellbeing, like a friendly “WSG” now and then, help people feel respected, valued and motivated regardless roles or backgrounds. Inclusion drives productivity and reduces conflict between departments or demographic groups.
Lend Sensitivity in Testing Waters
When using “WSG” exploratively with acquaintances versus close friends, exercise tact. Be attentive to signals the contact isn’t desired versus signs of openness. Respect others’ inability or disinterest in engaging further and don’t take it personally.
Learning social skills involves testing comfort levels respectfully without assumption of entitlement to people’s personal lives. With nuance and patience come mutually fulfilling relationships versus coming on too strong too fast.
Provide Easy “Outs”
Make conditional check-ins low-pressure by signaling no hard obligation to chat extensively. For instance
“Just dropping a casual greeting – no pressure to reply unless you feel like continuing the conversation further!” lifts performance burden for introverts.
Others feel at ease opening up incrementally if not pressured to equivalent levels. Consistent small gestures build trust whereby deeper talks happen naturally in time versus forced intimacy prematurely.
Learn from Different Responses
Pay attention to how different friends reply back when you text them “WSG” too. Take note of styles you connect with best and aren’t as drawn to. This gives insights into various communication preferences.
For example, some prefer brief check-ins while others see it as an invitation for a longer catch up. Testing varied approaches yourself helps expand your repertoire of responding authentically to different personalities. The diversity strengthens your social skills.
Build New Bonds this Way
“WSG” is also a low-pressure way to initiate contact and start strengthening acquaintanceships. Send it occasionally to classmate, coworkers or neighbors you want to know better.
Their response gives a window into their availability for deeper connection. Leave the door open by asking how they’ve been too. Over time, formerly surface-level relationships can bloom into good friends through these small acts of outreach.
Use With Distant Friends
Long-distance friends appreciate quick virtual hellos like “WSG” across distance. Schedule synced video chats on a casual recurring basis, like Sunday evenings. Honor these planned check-ins to maintain closeness despite miles apart.
Share little daily joys or challenges to feel present in each other’s lives. ‘WSG’ before calls maintains anticipation and excitement. Consistent light contact bridges the gap when you can’t physically spend time together as easily.
Related: How to Respond to wsp
Customize Your Response Style
Adjust reply styles depending how well you know someone or the history of your conversations. More casual amigos get breezier “Not much, just chillin'” while closer confidants see more vulnerability.
For new associates, aim light and positive until comfort levels deepen. With family keep it warm and caring and focus on small joys. Play to each relationship’s natural rhythm by tailoring responses accordingly based on individual needs and history. Respect uniqueness in all bonds.
Use Contextual Details
For closer relationships share relevant contextual personal details like “Just made a big pot of chili – want to come heat some up later?”. This offers them a peek into your world, making your response more personal and engaging.
Others feel meaningfully included when you share snippets of your world. Over months, these ordinary interactions paint a rich familiar picture of your life together versus detached small talk. Context nurtures empathy between confidants like family and best friends.
Respond Promptly If Possible
Especially for social circles with frequent digital contact, aim to respond reasonably promptly if circumstances allow. Barring specific obligations, most appreciate timely exchanges versus mysterious multi-day delays.
Going without responding for a long time can cause concern. Sending a brief message like “Apologies for the delayed response, it’s been non-stop over here!” demonstrates your care, even when schedules get hectic. Consistent yet informal contact over time fosters trust and ease between any two people.
Adapt to Generational Differences
Younger friends may expect fast replies via platforms like Snapchat versus Gen X using texts primarily for logistics not casual banter. Understand each other across age groups by adapting to preferred styles sensitively over accusing out of “principle.”
With patience come to mutual understandings versus rigid conflicts. Good relationships respect evolution across decades while retaining core intimacy built over lifetimes regardless shifts in how it is communally demonstrated.
Use “WSG” For Positive Checking
Reserve “WSG” primarily for upbeat check-ins versus broadcasting personal issues unprompted. Most want virtual companionship for bright spots versus heavy dumping without consent.
Exceptions are close relationships built on reciprocity of bearing each other’s burdens too at times. But aim uplifting contact respecting others’ bandwidth limits. Positive interactions reinforce social-emotional benefits of our connections for happiness and well-being.
Don’t Overthink Responses
While sensitivity and care matter greatly, avoid rumination that diminishes “WSG’s” informal spirit. Light exchanges require minimal processing versus heavier topics warranting nuanced replies.
Trust your natural response aligns with what different relationships need from you in the moment versus rigid rules. With practice communicating thoughtfully comes ease where intention, not formulas, fosters closeness between any people through life’s journey together.
In conclusion, responding meaningfully to “WSG” develops and nurtures relationships through mundane yet meaningful daily interactions. Thriving social bonds rely on consistently demonstrating care, respect and empathy in all our communications great and small. Staying flexible yet principled serves building rich connections to last across all stages of life.
