{"id":483,"date":"2009-10-01T12:00:39","date_gmt":"2009-10-01T20:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/about.zoosk.com\/\/?p=483"},"modified":"2023-11-22T13:37:35","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T21:37:35","slug":"some-simple-rules-you-should-know-about-text-messaging-and-online-dating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zoosk.com\/date-mix\/online-dating\/some-simple-rules-you-should-know-about-text-messaging-and-online-dating\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Simple Rules about Text Messaging and Online Dating"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While text messaging is generally seen as pretty unromantic, it can actually be a very useful dating tool. A self-identified text message addict, I believe that, when done right, text messages are actually useful in the beginning stages of building a relationship. Think about it, texting allows you to have a constant stream of communication with an individual that you are seeing\u2014not as an alternative, but rather an addition, to calling\u2014an added-value to traditional phone conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, I love getting text messages from people just to say good morning or good night. A basic <\/span>How are you <\/span><\/i>or a <\/span>How is your day <\/span><\/i>text message is a nice, welcome interruption in the middle of a day. Sometimes, the simplest text message can seem the most romantic. Something as seemingly mundane as an <\/span>I\u2019m thinking about you <\/span><\/i>text message can be an incredibly sweet gesture, and when used correctly, a well-crafted text message can put butterflies in your sweetie\u2019s stomach and stars in their eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what are some basic rules to follow by, when exchanging text messages with someone you meet online? Here\u2019s some guidelines about text messaging and online dating:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider texting to be second base.
<\/b>Don\u2019t run to second base until you\u2019ve passed first. What\u2019s first base? First base is the first phone call. Don\u2019t let your first phone interaction<\/a> with someone be based on texting. That\u2019s just lazy. Texts are great in addition to calling, but not as a replacement for calling. There’s\u00a0no\u00a0substitute for hearing someone\u2019s voice for the first time, or for having a real, substantial phone interaction.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whoa, slow those thumbs down.
\n<\/strong>One of the worst things you can do when texting is to send a string of messages in succession, before getting a response. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hey what\u2019s up? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hello?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where are you? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s up? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude42 <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You there? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Um, slow down crazy! She was just at the gym, and she gets back to the locker room, opens her phone to check her messages, and sees 15 messages from you in the span of an hour asking what she\u2019s up to? Yeah. That\u2019s no good.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be aggressive.
\n<\/b>Guys and gals, do not be super aggressive when texting, particularly if it\u2019s sexual aggression. It\u2019s not OK to send explicit texts unless you\u2019ve spoken clearly about this before with the person and have established the parameters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drunk + Texting = FAIL
\n<\/b>HJey, arf youu awkae?<\/span><\/i> is not an appropriate text to send someone at 3:00 a.m. after you\u2019ve had a few too many vodka sodas. You can ruin a good thing by drunk texting, so the best option is to simply give a trusted friend your phone and tell said friend to, at any cost, keep that phone out of your hands.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wot RU up 2 UR HOT!! xoxo = Vomit
\n<\/b>You might have a personal dictionary, inside which language is subjected to the abuses of your imagination, but there really is a proper way to spell things, and abbreviated emoticons are not it. Texting is not that difficult. You aren\u2019t asked to compose a dissertation on metaphysics. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude42 \ud83d\ude09 :\/ ^_^ = Use in moderation.
\n<\/b>I like emoticons. But I start to question people when every single text they send me ends in a smiley face. C\u2019mon. Emoticons are all well and good in moderation, but it can be really easy to go overboard with them. Coming across like a 12 year old is not an attractive quality in adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texts are short. Please check your spelling. It\u2019s not that hard.
\n<\/b>The least you can do, in a text message that probably spans the course of three sentences, is check your spelling. It\u2019s not like you\u2019re being asked to proofread someone\u2019s novel. If it takes 20 seconds to make sure you spelled the conjunction of <\/span>you are <\/span><\/i>as <\/span>you\u2019re <\/span><\/i>and not <\/span>your <\/span><\/i>then I\u2019d say it\u2019s worth <\/span>it.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO wait in between texts.
\n<\/b>I know it\u2019s tempting but play hard to get, at least a little! Wait 20 or 30 minutes before firing off a response text message. Remember, you are busy and important. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO give people plenty of time to respond.
\n<\/b>Give people time to respond before shooting off a text piggybacking off your first text. Who knows? Maybe this person is somewhere they can\u2019t get reception, or they\u2019re at the gym, or they\u2019re in a submarine at the bottom of the ocean for a day. In any case, you need to be patient and wait for them to respond. Why? Because adults have patience. And you are an adult.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO send flirty texts.
\n<\/b>Text flirting is great! But in text flirting, try to keep the subject PG, at least at first. If you\u2019re into \u201csexting\u201d make sure you establish with your date that they are okay with dirty texts before you start sending them stuff that might send them running for the hills. Keep banter light, friendly, and strictly safe for work at first. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO send text pictures.
\n<\/b>I love getting sent pictures via text. I often send my friends random photos\u2014of food I\u2019ve ordered at restaurants, funny signs, cute clothes in a window display, or whatever I happen to be passing by at the moment that might be of interest. These are great pictures to send via text, especially to someone you\u2019re dating to instigate a heavy flirt session. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texting can be a great way to flirt, get to know someone better, and feel intimate even though you\u2019re busy going about your day. Take advantage of the benefits texting has to offer. You never know where your next text could lead! <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Text messaging is a great dating tool… when it’s used right. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":12106,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[888],"tags":[395],"class_list":["post-483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-online-dating","tag-online"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n10 Simple Rules about Text Messaging and Online Dating<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Text messaging can actually be a very useful dating tool. 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