subject: Important Guidelines For Sms Manners [print this page] It's completely normal to see someone sending a message through their mobile phone at any given time. It can be seen happening everywhere and done by those of all ages. The convenience of sending a message instead of calling is what makes it so popular and why that popularity is growing daily. But there are a few rules of SMS etiquette to keep in mind so that common courtesy is not forgotten.
It is important to keep the messages simple and readable, not only to cut down on the size of the text but the cost of sending it. But sometimes that can get out of hand, especially when radical shorthand is used. It's aggravating to receive a message that is totally unreadable and leaves the receiver wondering exactly what it says. The younger generation has no problem understanding this slang because they are the ones that invented it, and it should be left to them.
Don't get upset if a reply doesn't come immediately after you send a message. Remember that not everyone has their phone on them constantly or that they may be in the middle of things. If you don't receive a reply, it is not acceptable to send the same text over and over trying to invoke one. If it is that important that you talk, then a phone call is needed.
Be courteous to those around you. Remember how frustrated you get when you're with friends who seem to spend more time on their cell phone than talking to you? The same goes with messaging. It is rude to sit and send text messages while spending time with others. If a message must be sent to someone because it is important, excuse yourself, make it brief, and enjoy your friends.
Also important is to remember that text messages are informal forms of communication. It is for quick messages and notes to someone, it is not for important business calls and major life events. If you need to do business, pick up the phone. If you want to break up with your boyfriend, tell him face to face. Using texts for anything other than informal messages sends a message that you are flippant and callous although you know you are not.
Overtexting is becoming a problem for some. They spend hours constantly texting the same person over and over, outside of a conversation, throughout the day. A texting conversation is just like a phone call, totally acceptable no matter how long it lasts. But when one finds themselves starting multiple conversations throughout the day with the same person, it may be getting out of hand. Consider each texting session as a phone call, if that adds up to more phone calls than you would normally make in one day you may be overtexting.
Technology is great, something new is invented each year to make lives easier and text messaging is one such convenience. It hasn't been this easy to send a brief message to someone since online instant messaging was invented. But as with everything, courtesy needs to rule and proper SMS etiquette needs to be remembered, otherwise this convenience can turn to a nightmare quickly.
