You can semi speed up the text speed by holding down the left mouse button.
The follow mechanic is yeah, sometimes a big hit or miss. We're having a party and I say: "let's get this party started" suddenly everyone wants to follow me, but when I talk to X and they say let's go to Rosy's place, even after saying for the fifth time, come on, let's go follow me, nothing happens...
The "ask to follow you" button is a great idea, and I second it.