I did as well. Because there are group chats I need to be in that I can only access if I have iMessage

I can't convince dozens of people in the groups to go sign up for signal just to accommodate me

In many circles in the US, it is the way to communicate. You just end up left out of “fun” group chats where people want to use iMessage features and then end up left out of actual events because people forgot to invite in the greenie group.

For both social and work life it's an important way of communicating for many people.

Some people are just a little less quick to message you back if you're a green bubble or ask to use WhatsApp, especially in certain circles.

it's very hard to socialize with non-techies in the US without it. you miss so much.