Text messaging etiquette: a brief guide to polite messaging

Have you noticed how technology changes

etiquette? You

Received

Hello how are you? How was your weekend?

Gd thx! Did you want to meet for coffee later? LMK!

Yelling In Text Messages

Proper texting etiquette isn’t always obvious. To help, we’ve put together our top tips of pointers to help take the stress and confusion out of text messaging.

Try To Keep It Short

Sending a text in all CAPS is considered shouting. Texting in all CAPS can also be used to emphasise the meaning of a word. However, sometimes useful, it may also be considered to be rude.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS PHRASE?

Text slag is acceptable, but can often be hard to read or interpret. Some examples include R U ok (are you okay), C u L8r (see you later) and IDK (I don’t know). If you’re ever really stuck on what the text slang means, you could look it up on noslang.com

WHY USE THE ABBREVIATIONS?

Text abbreviations are shortened versions of a word or phrase used. The abbreviations and acronyms are used to save time and avoid typing. Some commonly used ones include;

• LOL (laugh out loud)

• ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing)

• FYEO (for your eyes only)

• TMI (too much information)

• LMK (let me know)

• TBH (to be honest)

Text messages shouldn’t seem like a novel. Try to keep it brief and to a couple of sentences per text message.

Sarcasm

While there’s no harm in a little irony now and then, sometimes sarcasm doesn’t come across as easily, and in text messages and it is hard to gauge a joking tone. People may be offended if they can’t tell when you’re being serious.