Lavalife Inc.

 

 

 

Toronto, Ontario, July 14, 2008 – Have I seen U here b4? What R U doing 2nite? Can I have UR #?

As the tech age continues to boom, the number of singles who are using text technology as the newest way to communicate is on the rise. Whether they are making initial contact, setting a date or merely getting to know one another, text messaging is becoming the number one tool for expression amongst singles.

 

The boom of this new technology makes way for a new setting of Dos and Don’ts in the dating world. Is it appropriate to break a date over text message? Is it okay to text immediately after a date or does the three-day rule still apply? Is it too forward to sign off with “XO?” When is it okay to abbreviate?

 

Taking the role as the Miss Manners of texting, Lavalife (http://www.lavalife.com), a leader in the singles industry for more than 20 years, engaged their singles experts to put together an etiquette guide to text messaging.

 

Is it OK to break a date via text message? In this instance, the best advice is common sense. If the date you are breaking is the very first (and you have a very good reason for breaking it), text is probably not the way to go. If however, you are breaking a date with someone you've been seeing a while -- someone who knows you have manners and wouldn't cancel unless you really had to -- a quick text is probably fine.

 

A recent Lavalife poll asking whether a friendly post-date text message was ok, a substantial 77% said a quick text was just fine. Clearly, the old "three day rule" about waiting three days before contacting a date (even a good one) does not apply in our modern times.

 

In this scenario, text is very handy. Daters can cut to the chase and make their positive feelings known without having to think on the spot about scheduling the next date. A simple "Thanks that was fun. CU again soon!" says it all.

 

Just because text is easy doesn't mean it lacks the potential freight of an email or phone call. If you wouldn't call someone up on the phone and say it to their ear, don't text it to their Blackberry. Also, an economy of language counts, so choose your words carefully; be concise and succinct.

 

This includes profanity, things written in anger (ALL CAPS!!!!), stupid messages dashed off without forethought and all the rest.

 

Because texting is so simple and quick, it's easy to get carried away. As a general rule, make sure the number of messages sent equals the number of messages received. If you have sent a couple of messages without receiving a response, it could be that the messagee is away from the phone… or not interested in replying. Just because you can send a million messages a second doesn't mean you should.

 

Similarly, if the message you hope to convey isn't urgent, time-sensitive and can't be broken down into a few short, easily digestible passages, wait until you see them in person to pass the story along.

 

Cameras in phones were once the must-have option, but are now considered standard fare. Which means practically everyone has a camera with them at all times.  But should you capture every moment?  Just because you can snag a photo of your friend doing something embarrassing, doesn't mean it's prudent. Worse still, you pass that photo onto friends or a social networking site and that moment can stick to them forever. 

 

And when taking a shot of yourself for your Lavalife profile, lots of bright light (more than you'd normally think necessary) is also crucial for taking a share-worthy camera photo.

 

Young and old, male and female, American, Asian or African -- everybody relies on cell phones these days, both for making calls and for sending and receiving text messages, so always be cognizant of your language, tone and content, to make sure that you are always perceived in the most positive light, by friends, family, or even a new date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Editor’s Note: Interviews and hi-res images available.