Text Messaging - When Should You Reply? Text Messaging Ethics

I text a lot. Last month month was something like 18,000 text messages. This month I'm already over 8,000 and only 15 days into the billing month.... Which raises a question, what are text message ethics?

When you are having a conversation with someone via text should you reply when you see the message, or do you look at the message and reply when you feel convenient? And should a guy send emoticons to another guy? Or is this a homosexual practice? How do you end a conversation? Does the person who first started the conversation be the one to end it?

I always reply to messages as soon as I see them, I feel they took the time to text me so i should take the time to text back. If I am having a conversation via the message of text then I will often look at my phone often. But I don't know if this is how others do it. So I have put together a Text Message Code Of Ethic's created by me.

Replying to messages
If you receive a message reply when you feel it is appropriate. If however you are having a conversation via text with someone then expect a message and reply as soon as possible. This is polite. If you know you won't be able to and you are in the middle of a conversation then say so, just put 'brb'.

Guy's Use Of Emoticons
If you are a guy you may be thinking 'Should I use emoticons when texting someone?' Well this depends. If you are texting a person of the female variety then yes this is perfectly acceptable. When it comes to other guys then it depends. If you know the person well and understand one another and have the kind of friendship where they know you don't mean it in a gay way then yes. In most cases however it is best not to. It does make you look a bit of a batty boy.

Ending A Conversation
Once you no longer have anything to say on a particular topic or do not have a question there is no need to reply. If you feel they may be waiting for a reply then just say something quick and simple like 'Thanks'. This way a conversation does not drag on and on and become old.

Ringtone
If you are having a full on conversation there really is no need to have your ringer turned right up. Your expecting a message, put it on silent, stop bugging everyone and check you phone every few minutes. No one else want's to hear your phone beep every 30 seconds. That's why it has vibrate.

If you feel you have more then please send a comment using the comments section below!