When is it ok to text? What is an ok texting conversation? How do you end a text conversation? Somebody explain it to me!
I’m not about to do a study about texting etiquette, but I guess there should be a “rule of thumb” agreement across the board. Since it happens to be our way of communication these days, maybe even our chosen way over email, I thought I’d take a look at my lift 
in texts.
Here’s what I have recently found to be important to me…
- Keep it simple. I actually prefer face to face conversation. I like the talking on the phone as much as I like getting a paper cut, but that doesn’t mean I prefer holding a full conversation over texting. However, I’m guilty of it
- Keep it simple. Long winded texts are annoying. Bing. Bing. Bing. Call me.
- Also, I’m guilty of speed texting… Yup… wrong person… that message was not for you. Please don’t show up at the bar I just mentioned.
- I should really follow my own rules… Don’t impulsive text. Texts that can be construed as angry should not be sent. Angry texts should not be sent.
- I’d say… “watch your tone” but if you know me, you know my tone… if you don’t… too bad.
- Biggest text pet peeve of mine… abbrev. That would be abbreviations.
LOL… BTW… BRB… half the time I don’t even know what they mean. I never use LOL. If you’re text box only allows a certain amount of characters, your text should be shorter… or you can actually let the person know “I just laughed out loud. - Lastly, if the conversation is over… say so. A simple “Alright… talk to you tomorrow” Or a “I’ll see you later” is the proper thing to do. Its like hanging up the phone, “Goodbye.” This is a biggie for me. I like the end of things. Finish it up with a bow, so to speak. If a conversation is left in limbo, I am just supposed to assume that you went to sleep? Died? Froze in time?
Is that too big of a list? If not… Here’s a longer one.
This list is interesting… It’s first rule is “Don’t text when you wouldn’t call. That’s when I would text. If I need to tell someone something or give someone a time for later… calling at 11am seems silly. I guess if you know the person well enough to know that its okay to do so or they prefer a text than a call… then I say do it.
If you Google (or Bing) Text Etiquette, there are plenty of “how tos” or “Do’s and Don’ts”. There certainly isn’t a lack of how people feel about this form of communication. I like writing, I like texting, I like emailing, I’ll chat on the phone for a bit even. 
How do you feel about texting? Whats your “rule of thumb”?
Goodbye!
-Christina
yearto30 
I am so guilty of leaving a text conversation hanging. Sometimes I just give up because I have an old phone and my thumbs hurt (I blame years of video games for my thumb-related injuries). I also don’t keep track of my phone, so I notice a text from a few days ago where a friend is asking me something weird. Since it’s three days later, I never know how to respond. I think by now my friends know I’m a terrible texter and they are luckier if they can catch me online.
I wish I didn’t keep track of my phone… Thanks for stopping by!