Rude.

Filed under Social/Friends

Perhaps it is the copy editor in me, but I find punctuation to be a very interesting indicator of mood, and personality.

For instance, if you receive a text message or IM that says:

Thanks.

Would you see that as terse? I would. Same for email tone…placement of things such as periods often connotes not just grammar-friendliness, but people-friendliness and can make a world of difference in how an email is received, regardless of the content.

I call out to my other compulsive friends and readers for thoughts - or your own examples of this phenomenon!

Fun fact! Aly Walansky wrote this story just for you on March 17th, 2008 |

8 responses

1. JCat

   March 17th, 2008 at 11:04 am

   I am OBSESSED with text tone! Periods always seem brusque, you have to go ! or

2. amy

   March 17th, 2008 at 11:39 am

   Here, here, JCat!

3. Rachel

   March 17th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

   I don’t read “Thanks.” as being terse necessarily. I think text-tone depends also on context (no ten in-pun-ded).

4. Jenni

   March 17th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

   Same here. I have a friend and he always sends one word text messages, and at times I have to wonder if he’d upset with me or just lazy.

5. Jess

   March 17th, 2008 at 6:54 pm

   I believe it depends on the voice inside your head when you’re reading it! I just read the “Thanks.” and I thought it sounded alright.

6. Amanda

   March 17th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

   I completely agree with you!

7. angelle

   March 18th, 2008 at 8:59 am

   I think this is why it’s so easy for people to get grumpy with each other online. It’s so hard to convey (and read!) tone.

8. brigitta

   March 18th, 2008 at 1:49 pm

   well, you’re not talking about an email - you’re talking about a text or IM, something intended to be a quick communication - not a real conversation. thus, i don’t think you can hold the medium to the same rules as a full email.

   textwise, not everybody has a full complement of keys and symbols (or perhaps more importantly, the knowledge to find said thingies) on their phone. lots of times i end a sentance with a period because it’s a one button-push thing and go on to the next thought, rather than pushing the button 15 times (or scrolling thru on predictive mode). especially when i’m trying to do something else (as often i am when texting… like walking, driving, working, carrying groceries, etc.). i would say that if they told you thanks, that’s good manners. they could have easily said nothing…