The pre-relationship dating scene is a whole new ball game due to the convenience of text messaging, social networking, and the decline of verbal communication. Rampant texting, sexters, sloths, overly-energetic texters, drunk texting, novel writers, what’s your sms language style? I’ll admit it, I am personally guilty of many of these trends and am not proud of it. Whether we like it or not, we’re all going to have to adapt to this change towards text messaging using sms language. Here are a couple of tips to jump from being the casual text to the passionate sex.
Time before response…
This is so elementary and obnoxious, but necessary to be aware of. Text messaging back too quick then you’re a desperate trick, take too long then you’re too far gone. Don’t pay attention to these arbitrary guidelines, text back at your own convenience. I agree that the immediate, 5sec response seems like you’ve been waiting by the phone like a love sick 7th grader, but if that’s who you are then by all means, rapid fire text all the way. If a rapid response is a turn off for whoever you’re texting, then theres a good chance that this person lacks the depth of being apart of a meaningful relationship anyway.
Length of text message…
I usually take the Twitter guidelines on this one, 140 characters or less. On iPhones especially, the text messaging layout screen can create judgments. If your text mate responds to a “How are you?” with a simple “Good!”, don’t text back an in-depth explanation of your current emotional state. Set the standard yourself by getting the small talk out of the way and ask a more quality question. It shows that you’re genuinely interested in getting to know them and you’re not just there for attention. Use the small talk as a jumping off point to elevate the conversation to medium or deep talk; be attentive to responses and acknowledge all the content and sms language used. Once you break that barrier of strictly small talk, then length of text will no longer be an issue.
Lol!!!! :)…
Abbreviations, exclamations, and smileys, like everything else in life, use in moderation. Too many exclamations makes it seem like you’re crazy, jacked up on uppers, coffee, adderall, or all of the above. Not to mention that sometimes it feels like we’re being yelled at! Smiley faces are great to clarify an emotionally ambiguous text or to simply to make it known that whatever was being said made you happy. Throw in a smiley face when something really made you smile, non-verbal communication can go a long way. And abbreviations, stick with the mainstream, don’t try to create your sms language, we’re not into deciphering wtfdtm (what the f does that mean).
Pre-dating text messaging sets a light foundation before any serious relationship. Be yourself and let your personality shine through. Make sure your potential partner is accepting of who you are before you go waste your time. Don’t be something you're not, fake is unattractive. Also, do not let texting be your only means of communication, be an adult and upgrade to phone conversations and, better yet, face to face interaction. Take it or leave it, ttyl.
#tmp ;)
Filed under: Advice, Sex & Relationships, Sex and Relationships
Tags: advice, android phones, communication, dating, love, relationships, sms language, text messaging, texting, texting etiquette, texting tips, the male perspective, tips
check out the walking dead texting app called zlango https://market.android.com/details?id=com.zlango.zms&feature
Very well said. I absolutely agree, particularly with the emoticons.
Thank you Amy, I'm glad you can relate. I'm personally flirting with the Length of Text Message norm. I elaborate and add way too many details ;)