I learn that bad habits are a pain to fix.
Made worse by my tendency to reply to chat messages and the person behind always demanding instant reply unless I say I'm driving.
Its a fact known that bad habits are very hard to fix
and why its recommended for parents to stop their children to not have get them in the first place or stop them when they start it.
Humans are repetitive machines.
Even a speaking habit is hard to solve.
Muscle memory is both a great and bad thing.
And brain is also a muscle. (nojokeplz)
As for the "instant messaging"
i would say you are both correct/incorrect.
Incorrect, as its good manner to reply when someone discuss with them. and well.....not replying when clearly seeing what others say is kinda bad.
But also correct, that it depends on context, what they say, situation. Excluding the car situation, if they spam you nonstop, its entering psycho/yandere lvl of possessiveness and its quite bad. (also yes yandere is a thing that exist and often not as pretty as animes, just like everything else)
Also being lazy, so its normal to "not reply". Its human.
I would recommend just telling them the truth.
Yes, lot of situations are simply lack of communication. As humans don't have mind control. And surprisingly, often solved easily by discussion OR at least better "short pain than long pain".
My suggestion for habit and addiction breaking is placebo. Something that can activate whatever brain receptor is beholden to it without actually giving it what it usually gets. Eventually, it will fade. The second option is threats.
Damn, i knew same thing(2 of them) (and its true what you said)
but the way your phrased it.....Gosh XD its so funny and badass.