Texting etiquette. What are the proper protocols for engaging in digital conversation?

When someone sends me a text that I feel is worth a response, then I reply back. But when it's someone randomly forwarding me another joke or funny picture, I never send a message back. In the end I don;t think it's rude if you can't respond right away, just like sometimes your calls go to voicemail.

Richard, I am using texting more and more in my business.  I think I feel a blog coming on about this!

I pay a lot of money for an exclusive 800# for use by the public.  I have no intention of paying for texted messages that are borderline imcomprehensible. 

Back in the 1870s, I used e-mail at the SEC.  We were trailblazers.  In the early 1990s, I used chat rooms. 

Today, I focus on e-mail and the phone.  It just works for me.

I have to agree with Mike; texting IS a way to avoid a half hour on the phone with "Chatty Cathy!" It's equivalent to leaving a message on someone's answering machine when you're sure they aren't there, to avoid being "stuck."

Richard - I was an early adopter of email, an early adopter of voice mail, an early adopter of the internet (started with it when it was Arpanet in the late 70's), I was an early adopter of chat rooms, but I have still not become an afficianodo of texting. One, my fingers are too big. Two, I would rather talk then text. I do receive text messages, but, I usually respond by phone.

On the other hand, in 2000/2001 I was leading a world-wide program that require I travel, well, world wide. My S.E. Asian project manager, from the Phillipines, texted with his girlfriend all the time, from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, etc. It was a lot cheaper than voice conversations, less than a penny a message instead of dollars per minute.

Thankfully I don't get that many text messages, more emails. No client or colleague uses text to get me. I am off the hook on this one.

And because Richard is on an ettiquette thing, I will let the fact that Lenn was emailing in the 1870's pass.... :D

Have you seen the 'Texting and Driving PSA' video they made in the UK?  It made me never want to text again, EVER!  It is available on youtube.

I thnk txtng iz gr8.  it dsnt reqir a phn cll, but gets ur mssg acrss.  & thn, tag ur it!   :-)

Richard ~ I finally bought a BlackBerry phone about a week ago and I love it.  I do not pay for texting.  You can do this for free BlackBerry to BlackBerry.  Joe (husaband) and I are already getting used to texting and thought our fingers were too big at first too like Mike up there but now its getting easier as a I go. 

The best feature is I get my emails on it and I can be anywhere and reply.

Featured @ Club Chaos

Richard,

Sometimes when I do try to IM, the person I'm attempting to contact is carrying on multiple conversations at the same time. :)

Steve

You are absolutely correct - and it's just good manners.  But unfortunately we have become an abbreviated world that moves much to quickly sometimes.  I was always taught that you closed ANY conversation - no matter the topic or the medium.

Thanks for a great refresher!  Have a great day!

Hi Richard,

I love texting and advertise in my local ads, "TEXT ME NOW" I get a lot of buyers who really appreciate instant answers.  I also understand the other side of this, not getting names and numbers from people (actually, you get the number) but I feel that people respect me for not being overly zealous with them about getting their info.  I've picked up many buyers this way.  I get straight to the point, no, "hello's" and "goodbyes" however I do always end with a "thank-you".  Cindy

Richard:  I wish my cell phone didn't even have the ability to text.  If you can text me, you can email me.  For God's sake, take the time to spell out a word.  The English language is being mutilated for the sake of convenience.  I find portable email a great thing, but I will only text when necessary. 

I agree that you need to know morse code for some text messages.  I actually think it is a pain in the butt, I'd rather just call the person, if I can.  It promotes such bad grammar, too.

Chris Hallmark - http://www.freerealestatemarketinglab.com

Follow m on Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/remarketinglab

I love texting for certain circumstances, like a quick comment or a quick answer to a quick comment/question.  I think it has probably gotten out of hand for some, but it has its place in a business environment, too.  As others have said, though, we should mind our manners, which are quickly disappearing.  We should not let technology determine what's right or wrong.  And I totally agree with Chris Ann about the effect it is having on the English language.

No I don't think so - texting is not the same as email, phone calls etc.  Short to the point with not a lot of frills. I don't take offense -seems normal to me when my clients text me with no greeting etc.

What I do take offense to is grown up professional people that sit through entire meetings texting the entire time. There is a guy in a chamber group of mine that this is all he does.  Doesn't pay attention to the speakers - not one bit.  Would I use his services. NO!!!!  That is flat out rude in my book - and really stupid biz practice.  I'm not the only one who notices he does this.  He's in his late 20's .  Has that become acceptable to that age group?

I also think a conversation should have a hello and goodbye. We may be getting so used to Tweeting that we forget to end the conversation or run out of space.

Richard,

My kids think I'm amusing because I don't use abbreviations and I do use punctuation in my text messages. I took enough rulers across the knuckles in grammar school to forget now.

Rich