subject: Basic Rules When It Comes To Texting [print this page] With the rise of texting a new set of rules for this particular type of communication has been developed. Some of these rules are specific to various conversations such as dating, business related, and between friends.
There are two main rules associated with dating and texting. The first rule is that you should never ask for a date or accept a date by text.
If you ask for a date through text, it relays the idea that you are too cowardly to ask in person. This is a big turn off because most people are looking for confident, self-supporting partners.
The second big rule associated with texting is that you should never break up through a text. This includes texting through social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook, AIM, My Space, MSN, email, and so forth.
Breaking up through a text is un-adult-like and insulting. If you liked them enough to date them for a while, have the courage to be considerate and tell them in person.
In addition to these rules, there are many general rules associated with texting. The first is that you should never have to guess what the message means.
If the message is unclear, ask for an explanation. The vagueness of texts can lead to many miscommunications and over analyzing something someone did not intend to say.
You may need to ask for a time to discuss it later. Try not to come up with too many unintended meanings before you are able to clarify the message, as this will lead to injured feelings.
The second general rule is related to this. It is to limit the abbreviations.
It is very important for text messages to be short and to the point, but too many abbreviations and concatenations cause the message to be lost. Never make up new texting shorthand terms unless it will be absolutely clear the term means to the other person.
The third rule is a general conversation rule as well. It is to be sure that you do not tease too much.
As you cannot hear the other person's voice you will not be able to tell when they are starting to get their feelings hurt. Teasing can be fun and appropriate in moderate amounts.
Be careful with teasing as well, as it will appear as flirting. Do not tease unless you actually have feelings for the person, or it can lead to hurt feelings or an unwanted admirer.
The fourth rule also applies in a normal conversation. It is that you should never text when angry.
There is usually too much to say when angry in a text anyway. Talking to the person over the phone or in person is much more effective when resolving feelings.
When there is anger involved in a conversation, you do not want to risk making things worse through a miscommunication that is much more likely to happen through text. It is also much easier to insult someone through text because you cannot see them.
Simply avoid that situation altogether. The fifth rule follows along this line by stating that bad news should never be texted.
It is also bad manners to be rude while texting. If these bad behaviors are committed while texting it is very likely to travel and damage your reputation.
Do not risk a good reputation through being inconsiderate simply because it is a phone and not a person you are talking to.
In addition to these 'do not' rules, there are some 'do' rules. The 'do' rules include that you should text sweet nothing messages.
Studies have shown that long-distance relationships have been held together more through text rather than calls or emailing. Polls have also shown that people would rather receive a message that indicates they are being thought of, rather than any other kind of text message.
The last rule is that you should text a person back as soon as possible. Otherwise they will think they are being ignored and they will label you as rude.
If you do not get the message until much later, be sure to apologize. It is important to continue being considerate and kind of our fellow man even if the mediums for communication have been evolving.
