The read receipt: the function that allows others to see that you've seen their messages. The next great (read: destructive mind-game) tactic in the dating world. We live in a world where we are ever-connected. Communication in 2017 is really a sight to behold, yet we are becoming more anxious around our communications than ever before. How did the communication waters become so muddy? You can thank the read receipt for a large part of this. If you are unsure of what a read r