Text messaging (or SMS) is a great way to keep in touch and it has probably redefined the way personal communication is done. However, with this rapid change, text etiquette hasn’t really been established. Politeness is still an important thing to show even in text messaging. Here are some tips on how to text politely.

1. Text messaging is informal

   Text messaging is informal. You can’t expect to send business proposals and legal documents through text. So remember that whenever communicating through text, keep it as casual as possible. If you have to discuss serious matters, it’s a bit better to just make the call, or much better, meet face-to-face.

2. Mind your language

   txt lnguag cn b undrstd by mny. bt sum oldr folks cn hv a hrd tym readng it…

   Older folk may have a hard time reading text language. If you do text them, try to spell out the whole words. I also do this with people of authority to try to sound a bit more respectful.

   Avoid keying things out in ALL CAPS. IT WOULD LOOK LIKE YOU’RE SHOUTING.

3. Mind who you send it too

   Be careful of who you send your message to. I bet you’ve found yourself to send messages to people other than you intend too. Blame it on clumsy fingers but a juicy text message wrongly sent can cost you your life.

4. Length

   Remember that there are phones that only can handle 160 characters per message. So be brief and concise in keying messages.

5. Emoticons

   Text messaging can also be impersonal. Use emoticons to indicate some emotion. Being to brief and concise can sometimes come off as too cold and impersonal.

6. The act of texting

   If you are with company, excuse yourself first. Avoid texting while in a meeting or while in class. It’s basically impolite to the people that you’re with.