Global Etiquette
Texting
By Maralyn D. Hill
Y
ou may not think that there
is much to be said about the
etiquette of texting, but
believe it or not, there is.
Because of the efficiency
that texting allows, it has become
popular among many and a preferred
form of communication. However,
this is not a feeling held by all, and
there are rules of etiquette involved.
situation calls for it.
Recently, Jack Allen of Serbin Media
reported the following:
Keep it private. Don’t text any
confidential or potentially
embarrassing messages. Text
might end up in the wrong hands.
A reporter caught texting during the
National Anthem at the White House
Correspondents Dinner is feeling the
heat after the video goes viral on
twitter. Washington Post columnist
Helena Andrews says she was just
taking notes, but those claims aren’t
sitting well with most Americans
who are calling her disrespectful and
unpatriotic.
www.aol.com/article/2015/04/27/
woman-criticized-for-textingduring-national-anthem-atwhcd/21176735/
Jacqueline Whitmore, an
internationally-recognized etiquette
expert, (www.etiquetteexpert.
com/, jacquelinewhitmore.com/)
author and founder of The Protocol
School of Palm Beach, who is also
the founder of National Cell Phone
Courtesy Month, says it’s another
reminder that no matter how much
we rely on technology, people always
need to use common sense and know
when to put their devices down.
Her texting etiquette tips
Beware of your surroundings. Don’t
send a text message while you’re in
a movie theater, at a performance,
at a religious service, or a meeting.
Put people first. When you’re with
other people, put your phone on
silent and keep it away unless the
52
Speak up. If you’re with people who
will not stop text messaging during
your conversation, kindly ask them
if they will put their phone away.
Don’t use text messaging to give
someone bad or sad news. Make
a phone call instead.
Check before you send. Make sure
you text the right person at the
right phone number. It’s possible
to send a text to the wrong person
by mistake. If you do send it to
the wrong person, apologize. Also,
acknowledge wrong numbers. If
someone sends you a text message
by mistake, let them know that you
aren’t the intended recipient.
Always respond. When someone
sends you a text message, respond
with a text message, or a phone call
or email if the message warrants
a longer conversation.
Introduce yourself. If you send a text
message to a person for the first
time, always state your name. Simply
type, “Hi John, this is your coworker, Jackie.”
Be patient. If someone does not
respond to your text message right
away, don’t lose your cool. If your
message is urgent, pick up the
phone and call.
Use emojis only when they enhance
the conversation. They’re not always
appropriate in business texts.
Jacqueline’s tips are appreciated to
enhance some of my own, as I’m not
an expert. I’ve picked up mine by
comments and experiences along
the way.
Texting or SMS (short message
system) is meant to be that, short
messages. Many prefer a text, as it
is much easier to read than listening
to a voice mail. However, it is quite
important to remember, not
everyone uses a smartphone. Even
if they have a flip phone with
messages, they may not check them.
It is a common courtesy to ask if it
is alright to text? If you are with a
group of people, have your phone on
vibrate, so as not to disturb anyone.
I’ll list some benefits and problems
you can encounter with texting.
• Texting is quiet.
• You don’t have to worry about
a conversation being overheard and
it provides privacy.
• You can and should review your
text before sending it.
• Texts can be used to send
addresses, maps, photos with
directions or instructions for future
reference if they are going to
a smartphone.
• They seem to bypass some dead
zones that get zapped with talking.
• Double check the recipient’s name
before sending so you message does
not go to the wrong person.
• Unfortunately, like an email, once
a text is sent, you cannot correct it.
• Texts don’t necessarily convey
emotion or tone.
• The recipient may not look at
their phone for several hours
or notice they have a text.
Your response may be slower
than you desire.
Texting is a powerful tool and
convenience. Use it effectively
and not as an obsession where
you are focusing on your phone
during an entire meeting,
presentation or dinner.
I’ve met and dined with several
people who have said they have
chosen not to do business with
an individual, as they
were too busy
texting and
looking at
their
phone,
instead
of paying
attention
to the
conversations and
meeting. Your phone
should really be off
the table, unless
you are both
waiting for
something to
come through.
I hope you have
found this helpful and
I would appreciate you
comments. You can write
me at Letters to the Editor,
LuxeBeatMagazine@
gmail.com.