Pexels/Reddit

Long friendships can change when life takes people in different directions.

In this story, a man struggled when his close friend of 20 years gradually stopped responding to his messages.

They had once talked almost daily, but after leaving their workplace, their friendship became nearly nonexistent.

After months of silence, he finally lashed out at his friend, but he didn’t expect the reply he received.

Read the full story below to find out more.

AITA – Close friend but don’t bother me?

I recently started having problems with a close friend of 20 years.

We were very close and even worked together at the same place for 15 years.

We talked almost daily.

After we both left that place about two years ago, we both promised we would remain close friends.

This man’s birthday came, but his friend didn’t greet him.

Well, since then, our friendship has pretty much been non-existent.

I would send an occasional text and either get a brief response or no reply for months.

I’m the way that if you don’t reply, I’m not going to keep texting you.

My birthday came and went with nothing.

He greeted his friend but lashed out afterward.

Then, their birthday came, and I sent a “Happy Birthday” text along with a “Where are you? Should I check the obits?”

Probably a bit snarky, I’ll admit.

But to me, the repeated non-acknowledgement of our friendship was really bothering me, and I lashed out.

It didn’t go over well, and they told me they have been too busy.

They also said that I’m being too demanding and they are tired of my crap.

He’s wondering why his friend called him too demanding.

It really shocked me.

I don’t know what they meant by “too demanding.”

Since I really hadn’t texted them more than once or twice a month.

I knew they were busy and had a life, and I don’t expect them to respond immediately.

It seems understandable that OP was hurt by the repeated silence of his friend, especially after 20 years of friendship.

Still, the birthday message about checking the obituaries was definitely snarky.

So it may have made an already strained friendship even more tense.

Yikes! What do you think will happen here? Let’s read the responses of other people.

This person gives their honest opinion.

This one makes a good point.

You’re no longer convenient, says this user.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a man who had to sprint to the bathroom the moment he got home, then emerged to find his partner upset he didn’t greet her properly.

Another one chimes in.

Finally, short and simple.

Twenty years of friendship, and suddenly the group chat went on permanent vacation.