Let me begin with a hypothetical question.

If you were told that you could only keep 1 app and delete the rest on your phone, which app would you choose to keep?  *clears throat, refer title above*

I’m going to assume that all of you said the obvious answer in your mind (How many of you lazy bums did not even think? pfffttt..). So, yes, WhatsApp is probably that one app you’ll choose to keep. Yes, I’d even bet my fat thighs that everyone has WhatsApp groups which they are both willingly and unwillingly part of. So, here are tales from different WhatsApp groups. 

1. Extended Family Groups

You and I know that there’s a solid reason why people no longer choose to stay as ‘Kuttu Kudumbam‘ (joint families). Because, when there’s too many nosy aunties, know-it-all uncles and touchy cousins under the same roof, it’s not good for the family. So, the modern version of joint families are family WhatsApp group with about 20-30 members. It’s like having to attend a family reunion DAILY. I’m not saying that family groups are synonym to dramas, bickering and annoying sarcasms all the time. But when such occasions arise, it’s very damaging to spirits. People leave the group, and then get re-added. People send sentimental quotes and videos directed to a certain somebody. People sit and check who’ve read the message they sent and yet said nothing.  There’s a second group created to exclude the black sheep. There’s plenty going on. It escalates from Hum Saath Saath Hain to WWII (War of Quotes & Lengthy Messages) real quick sometimes.

C’mon. I can’t be the only one who has muted the group for a year, never downloaded any of the  good morning messages with life quotes. Admit it, you!

2. Parents’ Reunion Group

God forbid that your parents have reunited with their Standard 6 classmates  on a WhatsApp group *plays friendship song BGM*.  This  sentimental reunions spark a walk down memory lane. In the first few weeks, it’s really very exciting.  Members of the group diligently look for old photographs. They recall memorable (often funny) anecdotes from their younger days. Even if you’re just a secondary member (like me, listening to my father listening and replying voice notes), you tend to feel the fun of it all. It’s like watching ‘Autograph’ movie first hand in real life. After a few months, number of active members slowly reduces. But then, there’s this uncle who refuses to give up. He sends voice notes mentioning every member of the group, calling out to them to reply, every single day! Another aunty who’s always asking what everyone else is up to on a weekend. Then, there are requests to send latest pictures with spouses, with children. Sharing of a viral video, and inviting everyone to share their opinions. All in VOICE NOTES.

3. Abandoned Groups

These are probably groups created in the past for assignments, projects, birthday planning or events you were a part of. For some weird reason, nobody left. Nobody sends any messages, but it’s just there,  with members whose names you’ve probably even forgotten by now. How many of these groups do you still have?

4. BFFs Groups

This is that group which has different names every other week. Probably one which you spend most time scrolling through. One that is fed with screenshots from Facebook & Instagram posts, gossips, insults and is possibly named as Bat Boys. Opppss? This is that group that your boyfriend keeps replying on your dates. One that makes you so curious so as to what they discuss. Okay, enough of mockery. So, this is the kinda group that keeps you sane, and probably the only group you’ll sign up for if you had a choice at all. See, at least there’s one group that worth not muting.

5. ‘Noted’ and ‘FYA’ Group

So, this is the group with your boss and colleagues, where it’s mostly boring work stuffs. Sometimes, you notice the message coming in, and choose to not click it open in fear of what awaits. This is that group which one cannot mute. You have to think before sending a reply. If you’re too quick to reply, that kinda shows you’re on your phone A LOT during work hours, and if you don’t reply that shows you’re lacking ownership towards a task, It’s a sticky situation if you actually think of it. Mostly replies are standard ‘Noted’, ‘Okay’ and ‘Thanks’. Okay, well work groups aren’t so much misery as I portray above. Discussing lunch plans, and potlucks are fun too!

So, that’s the end of it. Tales from 5 types of WhatsApp groups in our daily lives. Hope you enjoyed reading.

Psssstttt.. You also did mute that group, didn’t you? 😛