Text Etiquette

Text Etiquette

We all know how much I love accessorizing my phone with cute phone cases (if this information is new to you, check out one of my posts about phone cases here ). Surprisingly, there's something that I love more than accessorizing my phone--and that love is actually using my phone to communicate with others. I pride myself on being a great communicator: a rapid phone call answerer/returner and a timely “texter”. For the sake of this blog post, we will make “texter” a word. My freshman year of undergrad, my English professor spent one of his lectures going over proper email etiquette. Pretty much everything he said that should be done, I was already doing in my everyday email life—I felt pretty proud of myself. Ever since that lecture, I have made sure to follow that same etiquette in emails, as well as text messages and phone calls. I don’t want to sound like the Princess Of The Year, but I absolutely hate when I come into contact with someone who is a bad communicator. It makes me cringe just a little, and it makes things a bit more awkward than they need to be. Trust me, I’m awkward enough as it is.  

I have learned that some people really aren’t bad communicators purposely. They may genuinely be unaware that they aren't that great at it, or they’re just used to their way of conversations and they may think it works for them. I will never call anyone out on being a not so great communicator; but, what I will do is write up a good post on what I have learned as “Text Etiquette”. And I feel I should share these tips with all of my friends here! 

^^I seriously have no clue why the wall behind me looks so warped. My girlfriend was my photographer for this!

Texting DO’s:

• ALWAYS consider who you’re texting when it comes to the type of conversation, language, response, etc. We all know you would not send the same type of texts to your coworker that you would your best friend or significant other. 
• Proof read your texts! Auto-correct can really take things from a normal conversation to a really strange one, real quick. One time I was texting someone I worked alongside a professional event with. When I tried to type, “Oh, I’m so sorry” (he had accidentally spilled his coffee on himself and I was attempting to sound sympathetic) autocorrect turned my “sorry” to “dirty”. It got weird. So just keep slip ups like that in mind. 
• Always respond! Unless you really don’t want to talk to that person, ever. 
• Text back within the hour. Taking forever to respond really shows a lack of care.
• If you’re already actively engaged in the conversation, try to reply within 5-10 minutes of each message. No need to be glued to your phone and responding back in five seconds (but if you do, awesome! I like you).
• If you are unable to text back quickly, or it takes you many hours to do so, simply apologize when you do return to the conversation. Show the person on the receiving end of the message that you care that you couldn’t get back to them sooner.
• Answer back in full, but no need to write a book reply.
• Know when to end the conversation. Drawing out a text is pretty annoying, and it can make the conversation awkward. Pay attention to when it seems like the other person is wanting to end the conversation. You’ll know.
• Make sense of what you’re saying in messages. 
• Use punctuation. You don’t have to be a grammar wiz, but at least separate sentences!

Texting DON’TS:

• Be a rude texter. Convey positivity and seem happy to be engaged in this conversation.
• Text (or take a phone call) while out with friends. Unless it is an emergency, put your phone away. The person who is texting you will understand once you explain that you’re out with friends and will talk to them later. They will probably even respect you even more for this— they can then assume that you will give them this type of attention and respect if you’re ever out with them. 
• End every single text with an ellipsis (…)- this makes it seem like you’re either wanting to say more, or you’re irritated.
• Text about super serious things such as extreme* illness or death. If you can call the person, do so. If it absolutely has to be handled in a text message and there is no way possible for you to call, either wait (if possible) or send a quick summary in a text and inform the person that you will also call about it. Serious conversations require a phone call or in-person meetings to properly support and comfort the other person, as well as yourself.  *A quick text about migraines, cramping, minor cold, stomach ache, etc. is fine. Especially if you’re texting someone to let them know you won’t be able to keep your plans with them because of one of these reasons.
• Overload message with emojis. Especially if you’re communicating with someone on a more professional level. I love emojis, but there is a common sense limit of not using them in excess. (Exception: best friends and significant others)
• Be a short texter. One word texters are the worst. Unless it’s a quick message to quickly confirm or inform someone of something, try to avoid sending short messages. These can seem very curt and uninviting. 
• Respond to someone’s long, heart pouring message with “k”. Self explanatory. 
• Call in response to a text.  At least say, “I’ll call you about this” first and see if they are available to talk. 
• Text anyone more than twice (unless you both are extremely close and that’s normal for you both- my girlfriend and I do this. Sometimes we do it just because. Lol). 
• Leave someone hanging in the conversation. Don’t start the conversation, engage, and disappear. That’s rude and a waste of both of your time. 
• Text in all caps and use excessive punctuation. IT SEEMS LIKE YOU’RE YELLING AT THE PERSON! AM I RIGHT, OR AM I RIGHT?!?! It definitely feels spazzy. 
• Put a non iPhone user in a group text. For the love of EVERYTHING, please don’t do this. Especially before 9:00am.
• Text someone you’re not that close with in the late hours of the night/early morning. Consider their sleep schedule, time zone their in, and if they may have significant other. 

Now, go forth and prosper, my friends! Text away. Text your parents back, text that new cute interest you bumped into earlier, respond to your sibling's message from two days ago, stop avoiding your boss' texts, and text your granny a few heart emojis (considering everyone's granny has an iPhone these days). Feel free to even email me! I will happily respond!