Texting Ediquette | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Texting Ediquette

There are right ways and wrong ways to text

35
Texting Ediquette
Odyssey

The art of texting is something that is still rather new and continuously developing in our society. While many of us can consider ourselves seasoned pros, does anyone really understand the rules of texting? And, I guess, the bigger question is: are there rules to texting? Well, I'm going to explain some that I have found to be rather important.

One major debate that I have noticed is the question of when it is okay to not text back. Sometimes it's easy to know when you say something along the lines of "goodnight" and the other person responds with a mutual "goodnight," there is no need to follow that up. However, sometimes the lines get a little more blurry. The thing about texting is that is nowhere near as formal as a phone call or even an email. There is no need for a text to start with "Dear Jody," or even a "hello" just as there is no need for a text to end with "Sincerely, Charles" or "goodbye." Texting can be quick, ungrammatical, and highly informal, but there are still general guidelines that should be followed to not appear rude.

One such guideline would be responding when someone asks a direct question. I know there are circumstances where the person who is asking the question is someone who you don't want to talk to, then it is okay. However, in the case of it being a friend or acquaintance with whom you are on good terms, if they send out a group message asking something like "Would any of you be interested in going to the Beyonce concert in April?" you would then respond with a "of course" or "no way". No matter what you say, a response is polite because someone asked you a direct question. Think of it this way, if you were sitting at lunch with your friends and one of them asked you a question like this, would you just sit there and stare at this, offering no indication that you even heard them? No, because that is extremely rude.

Something else along the lines of texting etiquette is how you say things and to whom. Society has modernized tremendously and this means that bosses will text their employees. If your new boss texts you to ask something about scheduling, responding with "who dis" is certainly not appropriate. (Trust me, this exchange happened in a group message I was a part of for my summer job). My point is, formality plays a role when texting certain people. You can approach your friends one way, your parents another, and your employers another, you just have to be careful to not mix up any of the before mentioned categories.

People definitely have different options about what is considered polite and socially acceptable. People have different ideas about what they can and can't do while texting. My whole point of this article is basically, if someone asks you a question, just respond. They know you received it because of that little delivered sign under the text and by the fact that they know your phone is in your hand for a majority of the day and that you obsessively check it.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
legally blonde

College is filled with many things, and we're so often lectured to make the right decisions as we head out on our own into the college life. But sometimes it's necessary to indulge in some guilty pleasures as well as just doing things because you can. And honestly, a lot of the time it's inevitable. College is no piece of cake that's for sure, so it's okay to do some things you deep down know you shouldn't....once in a while anyways.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Things to avoid your freshman year of college

Having this list as you enter college will be extremely valuable and beneficial to experiencing the best year of your life!

1402
girl friends
Madison Morgan

Ahhh good ol' freshman year. The best times and the worst times. Going to college six hours from home was the best decision I had ever made for myself, but the transition would have been much smoother had I known the things I know now. You cannot take on this beast by yourself, so allow me to lend a hand and guide you through one of the most exciting and different years of your life thus far. I have compiled a list of 10 key things to avoid your freshman year of college in order to ensure a smooth, happy, and fun first year!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

13 Thoughts Everyone Has During Lecture

Chances are, they have nothing to do with what you're actually supposed to be learning.

33
student in class
Polish Magazine

Let's face it. We've all had those days when it's almost impossible to stay awake or focus during lecture. We often find ourselves dozing off or just staring out into space when we really should be paying attention to what's going on in class. Regardless of whether or not you admit this happens, here are 13 thoughts every student has during lecture:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

A Deep Dive Into Taylor Swift’s Albums: 1989 (Taylor’s Version) Edition

I just know that the idea of releasing vault tracks came out of the moment Taylor remembered she wrote 'Is It Over Now?'

104
A Deep Dive Into Taylor Swift’s Albums: 1989 (Taylor’s Version) Edition
Edited by Hailey Hastings

I am fully emersed into diving deep into every single Taylor Swift album, which I do on my own all the time, but wanted to do it in a way where I am sharing what a special discography she has. I feel like 1989 is the perfect place to start, it's an era that changed everything, and will always be an album people automatically think of when you say "Taylor Swift."

Keep Reading...Show less
friends

Here you will find a list of many of the people you will come across in your life, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to give a name to all these characters that you hopefully see day to day. Don't take these friends for granted because they all add a little something to your life, and if you can't name all of them to your personal friends, chances are it might be you...

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments