This is a guest blog submitted by sahar. To me, text messaging is one of the greatest inventions since the internet. Instead of having to call someone to tell them your location, you can simply text them. If you just want to leave a sweet message to you SO, you can just text them 'i love you'. Let's just say since my phone plan changed to unlimited text messaging my thumbs have been ridiculously busy.
But what is correct text messaging etiquette?
Some people tend to pour their hearts into a text message, saying how much they love the other person and how happy they've made them. And after their thumbs are sore from putting so much meaning in a message, they get that anticipated text message back.
And what does it say? It's a smiley face.
Do you ever write serious, soul baring text messages? If you do, should you take offense at receiving a nonchalant reply?
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Comments (72)
You get a smiley face?!? All I get is "Ok" or even just "k"
Then you have the people who send 165 character texts, when it easily could have been shortened to fit in one msg.
What can you do? Some people just suck at texting.
Sometimes I type soul-baring messages... but mostly, short and sweet ones. And I usually HATE horrible spelling and grammar in text messages... but that's just me. :)
i don't text...but i don't write anything i don't expect to see on the front page of tomarrow's newspaper...and why would i mind a nonchalant answer? they obviously follow the same rule.....
This actually happened to me Wednesday night/Thursday very-early-morning. I drunk-texted my boyfriend telling him how much I loved him, missed him, couldn't wait to see him, you mean the world to me, etc. etc. I got a kissy face back. And yes I was offended. After giving my thumbs a cardio work-out, I expect something more than a little yellow face with puckered lips in response.
But now that I'm sober... um, yeah.. it was a text message. I didn't pour my heart out to him in person. I struggled with T9 for a few minutes and hit SEND. People are lazy and texting is a pain in the ass, so we can't expect the same response that we would get in person.
I don't do deep, soul-baring text messages most of the time. Usually, it's just short, cute messages; you know, picture of yourself and a 'good morning
.'
Small things like that. I find they tend to make my day.
For soul-baring, I think I'll stick to the phone or in-person. It's just too hard to tell tone and intent over any textual medium; hell, it can be decently hard over the phone as well. Ideally, soul-baring is one of those...in-person events.
I don't bare all in texts because I don't really think that is the purpose. If I really need to tell someone something soul baring worthy then I'll have the respect to call them, write a hand written letter, or see them. I use my texts for little messages such as 'what ya doin, i'm out front, meet me at such and such time. ' I actually get annoyed with text message conversations.
Yes. That is me 100%. I type out heartfelt messages to my boyfriend over my phone and I get a smiley face, or "lol" back.
I WANT A DESCRIPTIVE REPLY DAMMIT.
Same thing happens on msn. Only in person can he ever really say sweet things, and sometimes I think for men in general that's a huge leap :P
I see text messages as "quickies". After all, they're only 160 characters at most, almost like a xanga pulse/facebook and twitter update. Quick I <3 you's are cool, but I don't think anything deep can be sent across via text.
I used to do that but not anymore. My bf doesn't text much anyways but if he has to, he spends a ridiculous amount of time typing out his message while I could do it in 10 seconds. Plus he IS the type to give a nonchalant reply (text and msn), so that's why I don't bother anymore lol.
I rarely leave serious texts, but when I do, it's because I can't get ahold of the person via phone.
And I wouldn't be upset if my boyfriend responded with a smilie face. Why would I be?
@esch99@xanga - Sometimes it's MUCH more convenient to send one long text than 5 short texts, if you have a lot to say and for whatever reason can't talk on the phone.
My boyfriend would send me long, sweet, soul-baring text messages of 500 characters but I thought I was limited to 160 and I tried to cram my gushy reply into that tiny amount of space. Then I realized that I could send longer ones to other Verizon people, including him, with no ill consequence. Mine instantly became as long as his. What we say couldn't be said properly with any fewer words, so we enjoy our mushy text messaging, thank you very much. Every night if we don't talk on the phone we exchange two lengthy, warm-fuzzy-feeling-inducing texts before bed.
For everyone else? We're short and sweet. A few words or a sentence usually does the trick.
I like to leave a soul-bearer here and there. Who doesn't like to open up their cell in the manotony of class or a work day and receive something cute that makes them feel happy and loved instantly? I love when he does the same. It's rare for both of us. But that just makes it better when it happens.
Would I be offended with a smiley? NO! I love smileys. Sometimes I think they say more than words can.
I'm guilty of long texts. Just like i"m guilty of leaving long comments. I can't help it - I'm naturally wordy.
I don't text first and if I do text back, it's only one or two word responses. You can't "hear" humor, sarcasm and kidding when texting. Things can be totally misunderstood and I'm liable to offend someone.
Well..I would be a little upset if, after a heart-pouring sms I'll be replied with a smiley.
To me looks like an easy-escape to do like that. I like words and prefer that a person use that with me.
And, anyway, I don't like very much smileys.
I do sometimes, but I don't get upset with the simple, ":)" because I know he's smiling. I think its cute.
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - Of course. But I was refering to the 160 char limit on some text messages. Those occasional texts where 98% of the message is in the first txt, and then there are like just a few characters or words on the 2nd that would have fit if the texter had just used some IM-speak or just been less "blah blah blah"
Eh. It was a joke that loses much when it needs to be explained.
TXTing is no way to express emotion. Get off texting, and pick up the phone, to set up a face-to-face meeting with the S.O.!
Maybe the person responding just feels uncomfortable dealing with such serious issues on such in impersonal platform...
=D.
I try to avoid being too emotional via text message, just because feelings don't come across clearly when you're reading them on a screen.
i write serious texts sometimes just bc i'm scared to say it in person, or even over the phone. it's much easier. and i feel like it's slightly more personal than doing it via AIM.
I haven't poured out my soul in a text, but I have made comments to show how much I care about them. I get a response similar to my own...so I'm thankful for that. If I got a smiley, I think it would bug me in the back of my head. It depends how many times it happens.
I usually get the same response, although I try to not over pour my feelings through a text message. I'd rather do it in person.
I don't pour my feelings out on a text, but I do show them that I care. As other people have said, I do get a response in a similar manner as mine. If they gave me smiley face, I'd either think something is up, or they can't express themselves that well. I guess it depends. I'd rather do it in person, although I know I'll be more nervous T.T
anyone send naughty messages? better yet...naughty pics?
If my phone were connected to a keyboard.. haha ..jk..
texting is only for fun.Not for letting out your heart and soul...
When talking to my SO, I like to pay attention to the details of his facial expressions and body language..oh and the eyes are a biggy for me..
thats the disadvantage of texting, chatting and email... all the good stuff... the essence of the conversation is left out when we dont get to see the funny,cute, angry,interested passionate, curious, etc expression on his face and his overall reaction.