Saving old text messages from exes can sometimes be an asset when you need to remember exactly why you left them. Alternately, sometimes digital relics from old relationships are a good reminder of how much good we have in our lives currently.
At least, they did for the Twitter user May Larsen, who recently posted screenshots of two text threads with two very different men.
The conversation on the left shows how an old conversation went down with an emotionally manipulative ex. While the other screenshot is a prime example of what communication in a healthy partnership looks like.
u201cDifference between a boy and a man.u201d— Mayc (@Mayc)
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The emotional dynamics of this exchange are full of red flags.
This ex (boyfriend, hookup, whatever he was) went from 0-100 in no time. In fact, the ONLY way this kind of freak out would be excusable would be if they had prior plans she ditched on. Alternately, if he was doing a performance art bit where he embodied Drake’s 0-100 via text message. Outside of those possibilities, this type of reaction is nothing short of manipulation and emotional abuse.
The second text message showed how Larsen’s current partner responds to a simple night out.
The difference between these responses to a simple night out on the town is night and day. When comparing the two messages, the red flags really pop.
People on Twitter had a LOT of thoughts about the texts.
Difference between a man and a cuckboi— paxil (@paxil)
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Some women shared similar experiences with possessive partners.
Youu2019re reminding the one on the left not to cheat. He already has his guard up. The one on the right is just doing the minimum— X u00c6 A-12 Musk (@X u00c6 A-12 Musk)
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A lot of people assumed the texts were from two guys she’s currently dating.
SO IS EVERYONE IGNORING SHAWTY TALKING TO TWO GUYS AT THE SAME TIME?????— Not Josh (@Not Josh)
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Nah dude check the first one she cropped the time and allat out of it. You was right at first— Dee (@Dee)
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That quickly got shut down.
Donu2019t get pressed over a joke B.— Dee (@Dee)
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Meanwhile, others were caught up with the fact that her current dude wears a cowboy hat.
You can tell which one is the man by the cool hat.— Adam Dane (@Adam Dane)
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YEEHAWW— u2764ufe0fud83eudd0dud83dudc7c u0142u2c64u0142u0246u20aeu2c64u0142u2c60u2c60u0142u0246 (@u2764ufe0fud83eudd0dud83dudc7c u0142u2c64u0142u0246u20aeu2c64u0142u2c60u2c60u0142u0246)
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Regardless of whether the rest of us are pro cowboy hat (I’m pro if you can pull it off), it seems they’ve got a healthy situation going. Communication is key, in any kind of relationship.
This article originally appeared on 04.10.19