Has never bothered me and I do it myself sometimes. I don't make generic "thank you" type comments usually, I just upvote people instead. So I won't reply unless I actually have something worth saying. Usually I will have something to say, but not always.

Also depends how many replies. If I ask a question and one person provides the answer, I'll say something. If I start a thread and it takes off though, I'll just observe. And I think most people are that way, just because a popular thread can be a little overwhelming.

edit for cleanup

I feel the opposite. If someone goes on an "Ask" community and is responding to most answers, it feels like they're trying to push an agenda. The polite thing, in my mind, is upvote the answers you get and only respond to ask clarifying questions or maaaaybe say thanks if anything is particularly insightful or helpful.

Sometimes it’s better to reply in comments to address specific questions, other times better to post an ETA. Sometimes, I just wanted to provoke discussion, or I’m about to do something that’ll leave me away for a couple of hours.

If I'm posting a question, I simply won't have anything better to say to someone who answered with more expertise than me 🤷‍♂️. If I say thanks to everyone just for the sake of it, I feel like I'm clogging up the comment section.

Sometimes it feels as if the author was a bot, with the intention to push opinions or agendas.

I only respond to comments when I have something to say. If people leave comments that have no room for me to add I just vote up or down and press on.

Iz ok

My favorite Simpsons game 🎮

Sometimes the top level comments are boring takes not worth replying to. Like this comment. Whatcha going to do? Argue that no, there's always some comment worth replying to? Agree with me? Boring.