It’s time to update the tacit rules of texting, says the great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post, the queen of American etiquette for decades. According to Lizzie Post, her famous relative realized that etiquette advice must adapt to reflect the changes that naturally occur in society. Since texting today dominates much communication, often replacing older channels such as letters, voice mail, phone calls, and e-mail, a closer look at the dos and don’ts is apropos.

Before putting fingers to keyboard to dash off a text, consider two basic, inviolable rules. First, texting for personal communication needs to be treated differently than texting in the workplace. Second, each generation has its own take on what is and isn’t okay to discuss via text, so writers need to be aware of their audiences’ potential reactions to a text’s content.

Below are some more general tips for the newest rules to heed when texting.

When texting at work, the prime directive is to never assume the message is private. Additionally, follow any guidelines a department or organization has created. Behaviors to adopt when texting for work include:

• Waiting patiently for a response after sending a message
• Adhering to standard spelling and grammar and using a spelling and grammar check tool
• Being concise
• Responding quickly, especially to customer questions or concerns
• Using a professional tone
• Texting only during business hours
• Avoiding jargon or acronyms such as LOL, BRB
• Inserting emojis sparingly
• Making sure the text chain ending is clear
• Sticking to one topic per text

Texting outside of work has its separate challenges, especially group texts, which have a tendency to run amok. To avoid sticky situations, etiquette experts suggest introducing everyone in a group text, ironing out personal messages in a side text, and acknowledging receipt of, if not responding immediately to, a text.

Personal texting has also bid a fond farewell to the exigencies of correct grammar. As long as the text is intelligible, imperfect punctuation or a lack of capitalization no longer signals a lack of respect.

While delivering bad news in a text is always bad form, discussing emotions is not: Some people prefer using texts rather than face-to-face conversations because messaging allows more time to carefully consider a response. However, if someone is relating a long, heart-wrenching story, a terse response such as “ok” is not okay.

Finally, all experts agree that it is downright rude to text during meals, while at the movies or performances, and throughout live conversations. These situations require focus and attention.

Discussion

1. What are the reasons repeatedly texting a work colleague for a response is considered poor etiquette?
2. Why should you avoid texting acronyms in work messages?
3. What are some problems that could result from poorly worded or grammatically incorrect work texts?

Hunter, T. (2023, September 1). Texting’s do’s and don’t’s for 2023. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com