#1 Texting in Social Situations

Texting has become a fast, easy, and popular way to communicate to other people. It's actually so common that it isn't very often that you will come across a teenager or adult who does not have a cellphone and does not use text messaging. If you were to head out to a mall or a busy street, you will always find someone with a cellphone in hand, fiddling with it whether it be texting or making a call. Also, people usually find that texting (or pretending to text) is a great way to deal with things when they find themselves in awkward situations.

When I find myself in social situations, like going out with my friends or at a party, I try to keep away from my phone unless I am alone and undisturbed and nothing is going on that requires my attention. If someone is hanging out with me and they are constantly checking their phone and texting, I feel like they don't really want to be here and have better things to do. Also, respect is still required in social situations -- if you are doing a job interview or going out on some special occasion, it's only common sense to put the phone away.

If I was talking to someone and they began to text continuously on their phone, I suppose I would find it rude. If they were texting before I approached them, then it'd only make sense they finish the text but once they finish, would it hurt to set it aside just for a few minutes to listen to what I have to say with their full attention? Texing once in a while would be fine if I was telling them a story, but texting continuously throughout would irritate me. It would seem like they didn't really care what I was saying.

If I had to create 5 texting etiquette rules they would be:

1. Use proper spelling grammar. No one likes to have to take 5 minutes to decipher what looks like some kind of ancient alien language. Put everything you've learned in English class to use. Putting abbreviations like 'ur' or '2' is alright especially if you're in a rush, but don't overdo it -- everything else should be easy to read and understand, not to mention in a language we can comprehend.

2. If someone doesn't reply, don't freak out. Not everyone is going to reply as soon as they get your message. If you've sent it once, you don't need to send it another 10 trillion times because you're just going to tick them off, especially if you keep bothering them by sending one word messages or spam. They're probably busy at the moment, away from their phone, or read the text and forget to reply, which is something that I do a lot. 

3. Don't forget to value face-to-face interactions instead of relying on texting. For example, no one wants so have a relationship started (or ended) through text messaging. There's nothing special in that! Even if you want to check in on a friend, sometimes giving them a call would be better than sending them a bunch of words -- having your voice heard makes the conversation more genuine and personal.

4. Be alert while texting. There has been numerous casualties and accidents that were a result from people carelessly texting and doing something else at the same time. In some countries, driving and texting/being on the phone is now against the law! Also, don't text while you're crossing the street. Remember to stop, look, and listen! Looking both ways before you cross the street is still very important to do. Once, a teenager who died when crossing the street while texting and walked right into a truck.

 5. Don't bully people through texts. The same rules apply here just as it does over the internet and in real life. Bullying is bullying, even if it isn't physical. Be respectful of others. Just because you send something mean through texts does not mean it's any less hurtful to the person it's about. If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it ... or text it.