I wait a lot, write offline, there was a time I scheduled, and if you look closer you will see that plenty of my contests do not always run, but are also late at times. I no longer care about that,t and if it comes to responding, I take what is most important first.
I use different connections to get in, plus I know at certain times the connection is sooo extremely slow that not even a translator or messenger works.
After all those years, I learned tricks and I don't sit and wait, but do something else if internet lets me down. I also make notes what to do first, who can wait or is no longer worth commenting.

If you want to be updated there are only a few places where you should check and can read or also leave a comment. For the rest I do as much as possible what I mainly like.

I agree the comments are very poor and a lot has changed. A few months ago, I had a great group of commenters, but many only speak with me or within the small circle so this means without me (not informing/writing) it is...silent, which says a lot about the users of this platform).

How are you @grebmot? I didn't forget you but I am a bit more offline (read: a bit is way more). Spring is hopefully near (it's windy and cold here).

I hope with you the comments and replies (without a reply there's no engagement) will increase but I also learned that if this isn't the case, it's better to invest in those few who lie to share and chat. I no longer see any point in a high CSI by upvoting everyone just because of keeping a fake show going on. This is a hobby friend, and a hobby should be a fun time, not a struggle and a source of stress.

Back then, setting auto-vote was easier, I believe it was gone for a while. There are different methods although I am not able to use them all (I tried Fanbase of the community Italy but I can not make Whalevault ru it keeps saying I didn't authorize although I did), xpitar has one I used (the old system) but it kept voting on the same person and draining my SP so I had to cancel it (and even changed my keys because of a bug, very stressful). If #miner-wewrite passed, I will set auto-vote with help of a Korean site. That one works, can be it doesn't have all the extras the Italian Fanbase has but at least I have something. And you are right, if absent or giving up on Steemit those who stay still receive an upvote which I see as a nice gift (and who knows you even earn during your absence by voting).

Have a good day friend, trust me 3-5 comments to different/the right people or at the right places are enough to have interaction.