Away Message

I love the use of away messages. Why do i do that? I tend to hide behind my away messages. When people message me on Instant messaging when i am not away i tend to feel obligated to answer them. But when i have an away message up it tends people can instant message me. If im not there, then i wont answer. If I am there, i can choose whether to answer them or not. Depending on my mood with no feeling of obligation!