Since texting is one of the most common forms of communication now days, you might find it easy to fall prey to a few unwritten rules of texting. Texting can be a minefield sometimes, even though technology makes life so much easier. You must include smiles, kisses or exclamation marks, if you want to seem friendly, but make sure you don’t overdo it because you don’t want to seem too keen. Texting can even be a cause for anxiety for some people, especially when they don’t get a reply right away. Here are some of the most common unwritten rules of texting:
This is definitely one of those unwritten rules of texting that you should consider the next time you send someone a message. It’s not the end of the world if they don’t respond right away; they could have a perfectly good and valid reason for not being able to do it. So don’t keep texting until they respond. Just chill out and have patience!
Always respond to people’s texts, even if you don’t feel like it. Be polite and don’t blow anyone off. Don’t ignore people! I’m sure you don’t like to be ignored, so don’t do this to other people. Just respond to their texts in a kind and reasonably-timely manner.
Just keep other people’s schedule in mind and don’t text them at 4 AM in the morning or while they’re at work and you know that their boss doesn’t allow them to answer their phone. So try not to text them until they respond because you might get them in trouble. Be nice and think about other people’s needs too.
Don’t text a novel! Keep your text messages short and sweet because nobody likes to read long and confusing paragraphs. Here’s a rule of texting that you should obey: if it’s taking you more than 30 seconds to text it, you should consider calling that person because it will be easier to communicate with each other.
Long-winded texts can quickly become tedious to read and respond to. Embrace conciseness; your messages should pack a punch in just a few words. This not only respects the recipient's time but also increases the chances that your entire message will be read and understood. Remember, the beauty of texting lies in its brevity and ease of skimming. If you have a complex topic to discuss, a detailed plan to propose, or a deep conversation to dive into, picking up the phone is often a more efficient and considerate choice.
Be kind to the introverts and don’t invade their privacy. If they texted you, they probably didn’t want to call you, so don’t call them in response without asking them first. Also they might be busy or tired and not in the mood to talk to anyone. Nobody really likes to be caught off guard, so ask first and call later.
When you send a text to someone, try not to be sarcastic because you could get into arguments or you could hurt someone’s feeling, even though that was not your intention. Although you've know that person for a long time, keep in mind that some jokes work better in person.
Even though it may seem like a fantastic idea at the time, just try not to do it because in most cases, you will regret it afterwards. Also, the spelling and grammar of most of those texts are questionable and you will only give the recipient a reason to laugh. Drunken texts don’t help your love life, so try to avoid them.
Try not to text while walking, and don’t ever do it while driving. If you are running late somewhere always text the other person, since it’s good manners. Don’t argue over text and always double-check who you are sending the text to. Do you know any other unwritten rules of texting? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section!
Sources:
lifehack.org
hercampus.com
studentbeans.com
lzymonkey.com