Does anyone know why some messages go to your inbox and others go to the "request" folder? [I Blah]

If you know please tell me?

SW admins - it is the most annoying thing about this website. because I get zero notifications. I have to literally go to my mail icon and click "requests".

see..unlike most people.....I dont get mail notifications often so theres never really a reason for me to click my mailbox... hence I accidentally ignore people.

and responding to them like 3 months later kinda sucks. for both of us.