Instant Messaging Must Do’s and Must Not’s

By: Alex Bayron
Submitted: 2007-11-01 11:49:37
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The world of instant messaging may be new ground for some. But what you must understand is the instant messaging is a real experience. Especially now that we have online dating. Along with e-mails, instant messaging is the main form of correspondence that online dating provides. It may be done on an imaginary space but the people having them are real. As such, instant messaging also has rules to abide by and manners to expect.

So what are the must do’s and must not’s when instant messaging? Well here are some examples so you would not end up offending your online date.

Delayed responses

Don’t you hate it when someone you’re talking to takes a long time to respond when you’re talking to each other face to face? Well instant messaging is just the same. Don’t just stop replying especially when you’re in the middle of a conversation. Because when we exchange instant messages, we expect it to be returned immediately. It wasn’t called “instant” for nothing now was it? It only shows that you’re not that interested in the conversation or you just have bad manners. Either way, it doesn’t go well with you online dating reputation.

Check your spelling

This is more particular when it comes to instant messaging. Nailing all the words right means you’re smart and literate. Of course you need not worry when you’re talking to someone for real because you can say “spontaneity” without needing to know how to spell it but with IM’s, it’s another story. Use programs like word editors to check if your spelling is right if you doubt yours. Just make sure you don’t confuse “hear” with “here” or “your” with “you’re”. Those are some common spelling pitfalls.

Know the words “away’ or “brb”

If you have to do something first, then be polite enough to notify your partner. At least tell them how long you plan to be away so she’ll not end up staring at the IM window for ten minutes when you’re actually going to be away for 30. Use the words “away” or the acronym “brb” which means “be right back”.

Question marks

Be sure to ask questions! Or put question marks to your questions so she’ll correctly interpret it. This shows genuine interest to your partner because questions express a need to know. Don’t just limit yourself to exchanging statements all the time. It’s like “I-share-then-you-share” if your conversation doesn’t have questions in it. So remember to ask. Your instant messaging conversation will be livelier by far.

Emoticons

It’s okay to use them (they were created to make it more fun and edgier after all) but not too excessively. Don’t use them as your sole reply. You can put them in along with an amusing comment then throw a question back at her. Don’t just LFAO then wait for her to say something again. To have an effective IM conversation, steer it so there’s an exchange of ideas and not just one person feeding the other.

Be sensitive to time

You may be an instant messaging addict but it doesn’t mean that your partner automatically is. When logging in at night, don’t forget to ask her if you’re taking up much of her time because she may just have gone to work and is eager to rest. Or if she is online during the weekday, ask her first if she’s at work before bombarding her with instant messages and getting bummed if she does not reply at once. Don’t go out of your way to disrupt her schedule. She has a life you know so maybe you should too.

If you follow these simple IM guidelines then you’re going to have an engaging conversation with your online partner. If you keep it up, it may even lead to a real life romance and a meaningful long-term relationship.

Article source: Expert Articles