Texting is an act of sending short and precise messages to someone using a device, typically via short message services (SMS). These messages can be sent to other phone users or even to computers through web-based texting services. It is also known as text messaging. It’s fast and fun. But sometimes texting can also be confusing. Sometimes, we don’t know what someone really means by a message. A simple “Hi” or even an emoji can even change a meaning.
In this blog, we will be discussing the new rules of texting How you should text to keep a person engaged and make conversation more interesting. These are not a set of texting rules written somewhere, but most people follow these.
1. Fast Replies
The first texting rules is to always reply on time. If you really care about the person, you always reply to them on time. Late replies often mean that the conversation is not fun or you are ignoring that person.
- Fast replies: If someone is replying fast, it means they care and they are interested in talking to you. The conversation is fun, and they are enjoying it.
- Late replies: Late replies often mean that the conversation going is not fun and the other person is just ignoring you. Sometimes the person can be busy too.
Some people get sad or angry after getting late replies. They might think the other person is not interested anymore. But it’s not always true; sometimes the person might be busy doing other tasks like sleeping or eating.
Tip: If you can’t reply at the moment, respond with I am busy and will get back to you. It will hint to the other person that you are not ignoring them; you are just busy.
2. Too Many Texts Can Be Too Much
Texting a lot and keeping the conversation going is cool and fun, but sending too many texts at once is a bit boring and considered wrong in texting rules policy. The other person might think that you have no work to do and that the only work is to bore the other person. It reflects a wrong message about your personality.
Imagine this:
- You send 10 messages in 2 minutes.
- The other person only sent 1.
Feels awkward, right? Don’t make this mistake. It is a foremost texting rule to keep the same energy. Do not respond more or less; have a precise conversation.
Tip: Try to wait for a reply before sending more texts, says the texting rules. It helps keep the chat fun and fair.
3. Emojis Say A Lot
Emojis are small pictures, but they can change the meaning of a whole conversation. They play a very important role in texting rules. Imagine these two texts:
- You are sounding dumb
- You are sounding dumb 😂
The first text seems a little rude, but the second one sounds cool and funny. That’s the role of emoji. Let’s analyse some emojis and what they mean:
| Emoji | Name | What It Usually Means | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| 😂 | Face with Tears of Joy | Something is really funny | When you’re laughing a lot |
| 😊 | Smiling Face | Friendly, happy, warm feeling | To be kind or polite |
| 😢 | Crying Face | Sad, upset, or something bad happened | When you’re feeling down or showing sympathy |
| 😡 | Angry Face | Mad or very annoyed | When something made you upset (but use with care!) |
| 🙄 | Eye Roll | Annoyed, bored, or “Yeah, right” feeling | When you’re being sarcastic or not impressed |
Be careful while using emoji because sometimes an emoji means something to you but different to others. For example, 😭 means crying to you, but some people use it to show that the joke or situation is funny. So be careful while choosing an emoji.
Tip: If you’re not sure what an emoji means, ask! It’s better to know than to guess wrong.
4. Short Forms
Short forms or slangs are trending right now. Here comes another rules of texting: never use so many slangs. For example, if somebody had sent you a very beautiful birthday text, writing thx can be a bit rude; you should write Thank you instead. You might be thinking that both mean the same, but one is rude, as it is short, and the other one shows gratitude. Following the slangs which are used mostly while chatting.
Texting Slang Table
| Slang | Full Form / Meaning | What It Means in Chat |
|---|---|---|
| K | Okay | A short way to say “okay” (can feel cold or rushed) |
| WBU | What About You? | Asking the other person the same question |
| HMM | Thinking sound | Used when someone is unsure or thinking about it |
| IDK | I Don’t Know | When you don’t have an answer or are unsure |
| LOL | Laugh Out Loud | Something is funny (or just a way to sound casual) |
Tip: Words show feeling. The texting rules say the friendlier your words sound, the better the chat will go.
5. ALL CAPS = YELLING
All caps feel like you are yelling. Another rules of texting says to write text using proper cases. It allows the receiver to receive your message in the same intent the sender had sent you.
Example:
- “I’M COMING NOW!” feels loud.
- “I’m coming now” feels calm.
Tip: Use caps only when you’re really excited or want to be funny. Otherwise, it might look scary or mean.
6. Read Receipts Can Cause Drama
Some messaging apps involve a read receipt option. If you read a message and didn’t reply, it can negatively affect a person. It can make the other person feel you are not interested and want to end the conversation. This leads to overthinking and hence taking wrong decisions.
Maybe the other person might be busy, and it’s normal to forget to text back. Texting rules say that you should send them another respectful text asking, “Hey, have you forgotten to text back?”
Tip: If read receipts make you feel stressed, turn them off in your phone settings. Or just let your friends know, “Sometimes I read but can’t reply right away.”
7. Mixed Signals = Mixed Feelings
Have you ever sent a text back and got a weird reply? For example:
Maybe you said:
- “Hey! That was so fun yesterday!”
And they replied:
- “Cool.”
The above text might be confusing. You are being very friendly, and they seem cold. This is what we call mixed signals. Mixed signals happen when one person is not replying with the same energy as the other. Rules of texting says to reply with same energy, as mixed signal can make other person wonder about your intentions
Tip: If a text confuses you, it’s okay to ask. Try saying, “Did I say something wrong?” or “Are you okay?”
8. LOL Doesn’t Always Mean Laughing
People type “LOL” a lot. It means “laugh out loud”. But sometimes, they’re not really laughing. They just wanted to be nice.
- “LOL” can mean something is funny.
- But it can also mean “I don’t know what to say.”
- Or “I’m just being nice.”
Some people even use “LOL” when nothing is funny, just to make things sound chill, and this is another rules of texting: to not sound rude.
Tip: Don’t worry if someone says “LOL” but doesn’t seem happy. It’s just how some people type
9. Double Texting: Good or Bad?
Double texting means sending another text before the person replies. In rules of texting, it is both good and bad.
Is double texting rude? Not really. But it depends.
- If it’s a close friend, it’s fine.
- If you just met the person, it might feel like too much.
Some people like to wait. Others don’t mind a follow-up message.
Tip: If you text again, keep it friendly. Like, “Hey! Just checking if you saw my last message.”
10. Ending a Chat the Right Way
Sometimes, you don’t know how to end a texting chat. Do you just stop? Do you say “bye”?
Here are some nice ways in texting rules to end a chat:
- “Gotta go, talk later!”
- “I’ll message you tomorrow.”
- “It was fun talking to you :)”
This lets the other person know you’re done for now — and that you still like them.
Tip: Don’t ghost (that means stop replying or even stop seeing the message). It can make people feel sad or confused.
11. It’s Just Texting – Don’t Stress!
At the end of the day, texting is just one way to talk, and there are no written rules of texting, so you can blend however you want. If a message feels weird or upsetting, don’t let it ruin your mood. Most of the time, it’s just a small thing.
Real feelings and real talk still matter the most.
Tip: If something is really bothering you, call the person or talk face-to-face. That’s still the best way to understand each other.
Final Thoughts
Texting has its own rules. Texting rules are not written in a book, but people still follow them. Fast replies, fun emojis, and kind words make texting better for everyone.
But remember: don’t worry too much. Be yourself. Be kind. And when in doubt, just ask what the other person means. That’s the most important rule of texting.
