Group texting is awesome for many reasons. But it can also be super annoying if you don't use proper group texting etiquette. So, before you dive into the quicksand also known as a group text chain, here are a few rules you should follow:
No emojis
Nothing is worse than expecting an important response, only to see your phone lighting up with a thumbs up or some big ol' heart eyes. Sometimes I just want to slap that cute little yellow-faced smirk.
No texting between 8pm and 8am
Have you ever been in the middle of that sweet moment between consciousness and sleep, and suddenly your phone goes off? 4 times? DING! DING! DING! DING! Or you wake up only to find 50 new texts waiting for you to read? Nobody should have to deal with that first thing in the morning. Caffeine first, please.
Recipients must live in the same time zone
This goes along with being the clock consideration point, please be aware if you are texting someone in a different time zone. If you're in California while all your buddies are in New York, they probably won't appreciate your end-of-the-day texts.
Don't expect an immediate answer
If you are initiating a group text, please respect everyone's time. If someone is at work, they may not even look at their phone for hours. If I am spending time with my family, I often leave my phone in a different room, or honestly just ignore it. If you need an immediate answer, group texting isn't the best idea.
Keep your phone on silent
This is just plain common courtesy. If you are receiving 25 texts a minute, turn off the sound. Those around you will be ever so grateful.
Don't group message a private conversation
Often times, two people from the same group text start chatting about things only relevant to them. Or in other cases, they might even forget they are in a group text, and start talking about things that are totally private! If your texts only apply to one person in the group, start a separate chain...unless of course it's really juicy.
Email instead
Once in a while, a group text will turn into a whirlwind of endless information. If you have a lot to say, just stick it in an email. Group texts should not last all day or make me scroll through the entire conversation just to read a single, relevant response.
A little common knowledge about these unspoken rules (that frankly needed to be spoken) can go a long way. Maybe send them to your friends in a group text!
Editor's note: This article was originally published on Make Mine Happy. It has been modified and republished here with permission.
