Don't Text Me

Cellphones, Blackberries, and PDAs, all the tools we use to text. Talking may not always be possible, but text messaging is always appropriate right? For example, you could text your spouse while you are in a meeting to go let the dog out and not disrupt anyone or make a sound. I've used text messaging while in training class to stay awake on several occasions. So when is texting not okay?

Texting is not okay when you're trying to hold an entire conversation. It is faster to talk it than to type it. Dragging out messages can get annoying trying to answer each one to the point where they might overlap messages and goodness forbids if you are talking to more than one person at a time.

Texting can be a nuisance if you are doing things that require your hands or even your full attention like folding laundry, cooking dinner, or even driving, unless of course you're Brittany Spears. Basically, if you are in a situation where you can't talk then to me you should be paying attention to that and not typing text messages.

Okay etiquette dictates that you use abbreviations that are universal. For example, we all know what this phrase means, ttyl or I c ur pt. If you don't then its; talk to you later and I see your point. Please do not make up words or abbreviations, because then the response you'll get will be, wtf meaning, what the "fudge" or what ever F word you feel fits, which we both know you won't know what it means and that just drags out more texting.

Let's face it, if I had a yen, its worth more than the dollar, for everytime someone has asked me what does LOL mean I'd be able to buy an iPhone with it. OMG r u serious? LOL, is common text jargon as is LMAO and BFF. My favorite abbreviation is ROFLMAO. How many of you know what that means, huh?

The one thing texting doesn't do is finish a conversation. We've all done it. We've let the last text message go unanswered thus leaving an unfinished conversation. Texting etiquette suggests that this however is acceptable. It's okay to just not answer.

True text messaging etiquette states that if you are somewhere that a verbal conversation cannot be had, weddings, funerals, meetings, etc. Then texting isn't appropriate either. Excuse yourself and go type out of sight.

The big no-no of text do's and don'ts is never deliver bad news via a text message. As K-Fed can attest, it's just all around bad form, immature, insensitive, and very Brittany.

These rules of etiquette are subject to change and to evolve. Text messaging is our latest form of communication. It's only been in existence since 2003 and tends to be mostly used by tweens, teens, and 20 something's, but keep these basics in mind and remember don't text and drive the paparazzi might get you.

Oh and by the way, LOL means laughing out loud. BFF is best friend forever. LMAO is laughing my ass off and ROFLAMO means rolling on the floor laughing my ass off, just thought you'd like to know.