I text, you text, heck -- even my mom texts. When it comes to the early stages of dating, I'll choose texting over the phone any day -- it's casual, to the point, and I always sound so much wittier. I definitely don't say "like" as much via text; my fifth grade teacher would be proud. However, the informality of texting is precisely what I love and loathe about it. For instance, the other day, a guy canceled a date over text a mere hour prior. Sure it was peppered with apologies, but something tells me he would've shown up despite his "crazy day at work" if his only way of canceling was to pick up the phone and say sorry voice-to-voice. Thoughts? Discuss.
Why can't we take advantage of the benefits of texting rather than using the medium as a means to act with an extra dose of disrespect? This isn't only a dating issue, although that's when it typically stings the most, but my friends, myself included (I know, even I make mistakes), are also guilty of texting-enabled rudeness. If you're on the phone and you're asked about your weekend plans, you can't pretend you didn't hear the question, but with texts you can reply days later, saying anything from: "my phone just turned off" (sometimes it does happen), to: "I saw your text, then got distracted by "x" and forgot to answer -- oops, sooo sorry". Catch my drift? I realize it's unrealistic (a gal can dream), to enact a set of dating texting rules so we can all loosen our death gripes on our phones, but next time you either don't respond to a text, don't respond within an appropriate time frame, cancel plans at the last minute (the list goes on), ask yourself: would I do this if texting wasn't an option?
Lastly, I would love to hear your thoughts on how long is too long to reply to a text message. Two hours? six hours? One day? Is there even such a thing in today's fast-paced, informal dating culture? What about with regards to friends or acquaintances? Side note: my next interaction with the "date-canceler" involved me having to wait over 24 hours for a response. Needless to say, I was pissed off. I know this is a contentious subject, and even I, with my OCD-type personality have been guilty of returning calls AND texts a day, or -- gasp -- two later. Does it count that I knew it was wrong, apologized, and I've only done it again five, maybe six times? I hope to hear from you, just don't wait too long -- whatever that means...
xoxo
Val
RE guys (with friends)
ReplyDeleteif he waits less than 2 hours to respond - into you
24 hrs - concerted effort to come off nonchalant or disinterested (there are exceptions, and we've all been overloaded at times)
cancelling a date via text - seriously? time to move one
I don't think canceling a date via text is bad if that has been your only form of communication up until that point, but an hour prior - that's BAD! Unforgivable though? What about second chances? I'm definitely a believer in three strikes and you're out, that much I'll say. Thanks for your comment KO, I agree 24 hours is a red flag, unless there's a legit reason and an apology thrown in.
DeleteOops! (with friends) was a typo
ReplyDeleteAn hour prior is bad form unless you have a really, really good excuse.
ReplyDelete