what does "brb" mean to you?

Let's say you're on AIM or Yahoo or MSN or whatever chatting. And you say "brb"--how long do you expect to be gone?

If I say "brb" it really means "be RIGHT back"--like I need a drink of water or go to the bathroom or answer the phone. Quick stuff, less than five minutes. And with most people I've ever talked to, "brb" is usually under 10 minutes, b/c that quick phone call might turn into a longer conversation. But 10 minutes max, I would think...


So today I'm chatting with someone online. He says "brb" and returns 30 minutes later!! Now, normally I wouldn't care, but we were in the middle of a conversation, and he left to play a video game! I just thought that was rather inconsiderate. If he'd said "oh I'm going to play a game now" I would have said "...um...well, okay we'll talk later" but at least I would have known! But he gets back and I just mentioned that I thought it was kind of inconsiderate; he then blamed ME for it, b/c since he talks to me so much he never gets to play video games! Not like I'm forcing him to stay online!

argh.

What do you think? Is 30 minutes kind of excessive for "brb"? Was I wrong to think that particular instance was inconsiderate?

 

Did you just sit there waiting for him to reply, with the text cursor blinking at you for thirty minutes?

 

You forced him to stay online? You scum!

 

"BRB" means that the person is going, but who knows when they will be back.

 

For me, BRB is anywhere from one minute to ten minutes.

 

Sorrrry Monstera-Deliciosa, I thought I was allowed to post my opinion .

 

There isn't much opinion needed with "Be Right Back." That definetly implies a definite return, and the "right" makes it sound as a return within in the very near future.

Not much opinion.

 

I agree with you. brb means probably less than 5 minutes, definitely under 10 minutes.

 

Ah I remember the good old irc days when brb meant no more than 10 minutes, bbiab was 11 mins to 45 mins and bbl was over 45 mins. I suppose things change....

 

Ah I remember the good old irc days when brb meant no more than 10 minutes, bbiab was 11 mins to 45 mins and bbl was over 45 mins. I suppose things change....

Wow, how long did it take you to memorize that?!?

 

I've said brb to people and came back the next day.

Sometimes i tell people brb when i really don't wanna talk to them as well. So basically its whatever i feel like.

 

Someone once said "brb" to me and before I even finished reading it, they said "back." I can't imagine anything taking that short amount of time, especially anything necessitating a brb.

Amazing.

 

I consider brb to be more of a sudden incident and you don't have time to type anything else--like if the phone rings or someone's at the door. But I wouldn't think that would be longer than 10 minutes.

 

bRb: under 10
brb: 10 - 20
bbiab: 20 - 40
bbl: 40 +
hold on: 1 - 20
one sec: 1 second - 2 minutes

 

"Wow, how long did it take you to memorize that?!?"

No need to memorize, IRC was my life between 1995-1998. Rest in peace

 

"BRB" To me just means Be Right back. I dont really focas on the time amount it takes, but My opinion is it should be less than 20, for anything more warrents an Away Message.

 

brb means I ignore that conversation until they return. It's also a nifty way to be ignored for a short moment.

 

brb should canote an imediate return.... Not "I'm bored with you and I'm gonna play a video game"....


If that's the case, then politely say.... "Hey, I need to go for a while... I'll catch ya later."



or.... "I need to shave my yak now..... and then get a blank blank from my girlfriend...... I'll talk to you later"




Darth Envy for JC President!!!

click the link below to vote, thanks.

 

my friend once wondered why I didn't reply anymore after sending "brb"
he thought I burped, and told him so. he even said "god bless you" (yes, we say that after burping, not after sneezing)

 

I use "brb" if I intend to be gone for a few minutes. Anything over 10 minutes is "bbs".

 

I usually say, "brb in 10 mins" if I'm pressed for time, or if I've got a couple seconds say "i'll be back in about 10 minutes, k?" But that is really rude of your friend to just leave and play a video game like that! I would hate it if one of my friends did that. But come to think of it, I don't believe in the "blocking" thing on MSN or AIM or any other because if I REALLY don't like the person I just delete them from my list, simple as that!

Lady Alisas

 

I don't say brb.

 

7 minutes. If they're gone longer than 7 minutes, I'll close the window on them.

 

yeah, 11 minutes, 7.531 seconds....

Well, come to find out it was all a freaking misunderstanding. He only wanted to finish it up for a few minutes, but it went longer than expected. Still, had I know it was a videogame. Yeah, my brother does that "only 10 minutes I PROMISE" thing all the time. And 4 hours later, I'm STILL waiting for the TV...

Still, it is very interesting to hear everybody's definition of various phrases they use...

keep posting!

 

brb= buying rotten beets