Mindful Texting.

Texting is my most convenient way of communicating, and I don't know if I should be happy or sad about it. Over the years, I realized that my interest in physical conversation with people outside my family has deteriorated a lot, and it didn't start today. Back then, I always avoided so many conversations, but it's all different now that I can sit in the corner of my room and have a conversation without seeing someone face-to-face.

Many times, people have asked me why I always have a lot to say while chatting and it's the opposite during a physical conversation. I don't know how, but I find texting quite comfortable than making phone calls or even having a having a physical conversation. It's not like I don't interact physically at all; I do, but only when necessary, or probably, I can't text the person.

Recently, I suggested that we have a WhatsApp group for tenants at my place instead of having to always come out on Saturday morning, and surprisingly, everyone accepted. Since then, I have been very active in the compound affair, and my neighbors are surprised because before now, I barely talked during the meetings.

Despite my love for texting, I have my dos and don'ts. These are things I put in place while texting just to ensure a decent conversation, and I don't appreciate when people go beyond them.

Ignoring text is one of the things I despise a lot, and it just pisses me off when people ignore my text for a while. If I can't do that to you, I definitely do not expect the same thing from you. Sometimes, it happens unintentionally, and the right thing to do in cases like that is to apologize before even replying to the message.

It's not necessarily a big apology, but at least the person should understand that you didn't intentionally ignore the text. I always start my response with an apology, and it even makes the conversation flow as it should.

Whenever someone ignores my text and decides to respond later without an apology, I just believe whatever it is I have to say isn't important, or probably the person doesn't have any respect for me.

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There is a woman in my area. I do assist at her farm, and we communicate a lot via text. Sometimes last year, I needed her help to secure a farm space, and whenever I text her to ask for an update, she doesn't reply for a day and sometimes two days.

We met, and I tried expressing myself about how she ignores my text, and she said, "George, you need my help. When you text and I don't reply, you should call me. It's you who need my help, so don't get tired."

I honestly didn't believe my ear because this is someone who can text me in the dream, and I will reply to her immediately. I stopped talking to her about the space and waited till she needed me badly.

She texted me once as usual, and when my reply didn't come, she called and started complaining. Mission accomplished! I just wanted her to know how it feels before cutting off my connection with her. I didn't do what she requested, and that was how she snubbed me.
You can say it's just text, but it means more than that to some of us.

Texting politely is another thing I don't joke with, regardless of who you are. There was a particular time I let my guard down on this, and a young dude disrespected me publicly.

It was then I realized it's easier to use foul words when texting, and after using emojis, that foul word becomes insignificant, right?

I always overlooked it so I don't start acting like an old school, but while having a physical conversation publicly, this guy said the same silly word he uses when texting, and I got really mad. Ever since that day, I didn't take any form of silliness during text. We keep it simple and polite, no foul words, or I leave the chat immediately.

Respect should be reciprocated, and since I wouldn't use foul words or disrespect you while texting, you shouldn't use them either.

I enjoy using stickers and even engage in sticker battles with my very close friends, but that doesn't mean I should start replying to important texts with just stickers. If you are too busy to type, just mention it immediately instead of just replying to all my messages with stickers.

The first time I experienced this, I was angry and just left the chat. How can I be discussing something important, and all you can reply with is a sticker? I don't appreciate it because it makes my important text look insignificant to you.

Just like there are etiquettes we practice during physical conversation, I believe texting has its etiquettes as well. Regardless of how we are having a conversation, respect shouldn't be taken away.

What am I driving at? Texting isn't just about convenience, like many people think, and for some of us, it means connection, and that's why we establish boundaries and etiquette to maintain a healthy relationship while texting. As an individual, it's important that we are always mindful about how we interact with people, not just physically but via text as well.

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