Proper Etiquette Online: How Not to Act in a Chat Room

Ah, Netspeak. Perhaps one of the less harmful things about the internet, but surely also one of the most annoying and difficult to resolve.. or decipher. Nowadays it seems that people feel free enough to come online, type how they want and expect others to automatically accept them and understand them. However, there are certain rules of etiquette for chatting online that make it more tolerable and less stressful.

You're all revved up, ready to chat on a new channel and the first thing you do is announce your age, sex and location. Now, if it's an age designated channel I can understand the announcing of age, but in general chat channels, you do not need to announce any of that. First, nobody cares. Second, it's not entirely the smartest of things to do when coming into a new place. Thirdly, it's considered rude by most general chat rooms that aren't designated as 'dating' channels. The proper thing to do when entering any chat channel for the first time is simply to say, "hello!" or "hi!" Be friendly and cordial. Sure, you come in under the name QueenMandy05 - I think they can take an educated guess that you're female. Now that you've properly greeted the channel, hopefully someone responds back with a cheery hello too.

However, if there is nobody answering your hello, it's considered extremely rude to start messaging people without permission. Some are busy elsewhere and some may be sleeping. You just never know what someone is doing just because they don't respond to you. It's about space. You message someone without permission is stepping into their personal space that is just not yours. In most instances, they won't even respond to you in query even if they are active. You may very well find yourself ignored, told off or even banned from the channel.

"Wot R u up 2?" is not proper talk. I don't care where you're from or who told you it was acceptable. Admit that some will not be able to decipher that attempt at conversation and refrain from doing it. In fact, not everyone in the channel may speak english - so your butchering of what I'm hoping IS english is only more confusing for others. Not to mention aggravating. Imagine if you will, a less than active channel and one person speaking like that line after line. It makes it seem firstly, like the person is lazy or just uneducated. I'm not saying all forms of netspeak are wrong, anyone can throw in a 'brb' especially if they have to run away quickly to answer a phone, door or even hit the bathroom. Some forms of netspeak in MODERATION are perfectly acceptable in chat rooms. However, avoid any and all shortening of words regularly. You typing out "you, are, what" are just as easy and more intelligent sounding than the less than pleasant alternative already mentioned.

Caps lock with all letters LIKE THIS is considered shouting on the internet. It truly serves no purpose other than to annoy others and get yourself banned. You aren't standing out in a crowd with that - in fact you're just making yourself out to be a fool. IF you're lucky you'll get a warning before being kicked from the channel. Of course, if the operators are not in the best of moods - then you'll be booted out in a split second.

"Want to Cyber?" I think this is the worst possible message to ever receive, unless it's one of your friends being funny. First off, it's amusing to see people who almost ask desperately for someone willing to have cybersex with them. Believe me, I see this daily and it's almost pathetic. While the internet is a great tool for finding someone to connect with, don't make it your life goal to have cybersex with every male and or female on a channel for whatever reason it is you're constantly asking it for. We are people behind the usernames and screens - treat us like it and not some free pleasure for all area. It'll get you farther if you just avoid those thoughts in general channels. Because you also never know how old someone really is behind the name.

"Come visit my website!" Spam. I can not begin to express the annoyance of spam, not only in e-mails, but in chat rooms. Nothing like having a conversation when someone joins going, "http://www.somewebsite.com! Free webcam/pictures/screensavers!" Even if they're legit, it's inappropriate. And in most cases they're nasty little viruses being spread about by the unaware. This can cause irreversible damages to computers and is not cool even if you have the best of intentions. Also, sending people files without asking first is also a big no-no. It goes right along with the possibility of a virus being transferred. So never send without asking and never receive one unless you know the person and can trust them.

Profanity. Swearing may seem cool, but it does nothing on the internet. Hooray, you can spell out vulgar words. Mixing these with shouting doesn't do much either other than reveal a slight aggressive side to the person chatting. It serves no purpose and is probably less shocking than if you actually spoke the words. It doesn't paint you as awesome, tough or even a drama queen. It just shows you as someone with a very limited vocabulary.

This covers the basics of how to act properly online when chatting. Some of it can even be applied to e-mails as well as instant messengers. Remember, if you're going into unfamiliar territory the first time in chatting, don't do things that will make people not want to chat with you. Just be yourself, show your intelligence and most of all respect everyone since they are your equals. I guarantee following these basic guidelines won't take away from the fun of chatting.