Chat SlangText has no face and no voice, so small things carry large meaning. The same words can feel kind or cold depending on how they are written. A few habits make your messages easier to read and help avoid arguments that start only because of tone.
Punctuation and tone
- A full stop at the end of a short reply ("Okay.") can feel stiff or cross. With friends, many people leave it off.
- All capitals look like shouting. Use them only for a single word you want to stress.
- Many exclamation marks read as excitement, but one is enough for most messages.
- A lone "k" feels short. "Okay" or "ok" feels warmer.
Reply times
You do not owe an instant reply to every message. For a friend, a few hours is normal. For something urgent, reply as soon as you can. If you cannot answer in full, a short "Seen, will reply tonight" avoids the feeling of being left on read.
Voice notes
A voice note is quick for you and slow for the listener. Use one when the message is warm or long to type, and send text for facts, addresses and numbers, which people want to copy and search.
Group chats
- Keep the group on topic; take private talk to a private chat.
- Do not forward unchecked messages. Look at the label "forwarded many times" and verify before you share.
- Do not add people to a group without asking them.
- Mute rather than leave if the traffic is too much and leaving would offend.
Read more about the words of group chats in group chat words.
Questions people ask
How do I say no politely in a chat?
Say it plainly and kindly in the first line: "Thanks for asking, I cannot make it." Then add a short reason if you wish. A clear short message is kinder than a long excuse.