Alright, gentlemen, let’s talk texting. Because, these days, your thumbs can make or break your social life. Whether you’re trying to woo a potential date, keep the spark alive in a relationship, or just maintain your friendships, these texting rules will help you navigate it all.
1. Remember the golden ratio
Aim for a 1:1 text ratio. If you’re constantly bombarding someone with a flurry of texts while they respond with single words, it’s time to pump the brakes. Match their energy. If they’re sending paragraphs, feel free to respond in kind. But if they’re keeping it brief, don’t write them a novel.
2. For the love of god, proofread
We get it, autocorrect can be a pain in the tush. But taking an extra second to proofread can save you from some seriously awkward situations. “I’m so into you” can quickly become “I’m so NOT you” with one tiny slip. Plus, good grammar is sexy. Nobody’s expecting Shakespeare, but showing you can string a coherent sentence together? That’s attractive.
3. Excercise some patience
If someone takes three hours to respond to your text, don’t reply within three minutes. It makes you look like you’ve been staring at your phone, waiting. (Even if you have been. We don’t judge.) Give it some time. This doesn’t mean to play games, but it does mean having a life outside of your phone. Exception: If it’s time-sensitive or an emergency, respond ASAP.
4. Use emojis with caution
Emojis can add flavor to your texts, but use them sparingly. A barrage of emojis makes you look like an overexcited tween—one or two can convey tone and add some fun. And don’t even think about sending that eggplant emoji. Unless you’re actually talking about eggplant parmesan. In which case, carry on and send us the recipe.
5. Don’t double text
Ah, the double text. It’s a contentious issue in the texting world. Here’s a good rule of thumb: if you’ve sent a question or something that requires a response, wait for that response before sending another text. If you’re just continuing a conversation or sharing something new, a double text is fine. Just don’t turn it into a quintuple text.
6. No drunk texting under any circumstances
We’ve all been there. You’re out with the boys, you’ve had a few, and suddenly texting your ex seems like a brilliant idea. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Neither is confessing your undying love to your crush or picking a fight with your buddy. Put the phone down, drink some water, and thank us in the morning.
7. Learn the art of the GIF
A well-timed GIF can diffuse tension, express an emotion, or just give you both a good laugh. But like emojis, moderation is key. Don’t let GIFs become a crutch for actual conversation. And always make sure it’s appropriate for your audience. Your grandma might not appreciate that “That’s what she said” Michael Scott GIF as much as your bros do.
8. Respect the bubble
You know those three dots that appear when someone’s typing? Respect them. Don’t rapid-fire texts while someone’s in the middle of responding. It’s the texting equivalent of interrupting someone mid-sentence. Plus, it can mess up the flow of the conversation. Patience!
9. Know your audience
The way you text your best buddy is probably (hopefully) different from how you text your boss or your aunt. Adjust your tone, content, and even your grammar based on who you’re texting. Save the “Yo, what’s good?” for your friends and stick with “Hello, how are you?” for more formal relationships.
10. Be mindful of your screenshots
If you’re going to screenshot a conversation to share with friends (which, let’s be real, we all do sometimes), make sure it doesn’t contain any private or sensitive information. And maybe don’t tell the person you screenshotted their messages. Some things are better left unsaid.
11. Try out the voice note feature
Sometimes, typing out a long explanation is just too much work. Enter the voice note. It’s personal, it conveys tone better than text, and it shows you’re willing to put in a bit more effort. Just make sure you’re in a quiet place and speak clearly. Nobody wants to hear you shouting over background noise or mumbling incoherently.
12. Timing is everything
Be mindful of when you’re texting. Late-night texts might send the wrong message (unless that’s your intention and it’s welcome). Early morning texts might wake someone up. And, don’t text during movies at the theater. The light from your phone is annoying, and you’re missing the movie!
13. Know when (and when not) to follow up
If you’ve asked someone out and they haven’t responded, give it a day or two before following up. One polite check-in is fine. After that, let it go. If they’re interested, they’ll get back to you. Remember, no response is a response.
14. When in doubt, call
Sometimes, texting just isn’t cutting it. If a conversation is getting heated, complicated, or just too long, consider picking up the phone. Hearing someone’s voice can clear up misunderstandings and convey emotion much better than text ever could.
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