I have to say that I am a fan of texting.
Texting allows me to stay in touch with my family, clients and colleagues easily. While texting can never replace an actual phone call or personal interaction, it’s a way to let people know that you are thinking of them and that you want to stay connected.
There’s different kinds of texting, though.
If you’re texting for fun or to just stay in touch, almost anything goes.
However, if you are texting to get or to give information, you need to be more careful.
For some of you, I know that this seems really obvious. But for many, it’s not.
This was underlined for me recently when a friend was texting with another friend in an attempt to get together later in the evening to go hear some live music. They ultimately did not get together, but not because they didn’t want to; it was because the texts – on both sides – were unclear.
The exchange went something like this:
Friend1: Was hoping to get together later to go see some music – r u available?
Friend2: Uptown now, will be down in Union Square later.
Friend1: Cool. I’m all ears.
And then, there were no more texts for a couple of hours until Friend2 actually called. By then, it was too late and they agreed to go out another time.
The problem: Neither friend asked for enough specific information to make the get together happen. Friend2 assumed that Friend1 understood that she wanted to meet in the Union Square area. Friend1 thought that by saying, “I’m all ears,” Friend2 would provide a time and place to actually meet.
Moral of the story: When you need “real” information – a time and place to meet, e.g. – don’t assume that your cute or unique way of texting will get that for you. The other person might not understand your implications. Be direct. Of course, to avoid all misunderstandings when it comes to meetings, etc., just pick up the phone.