Ever break up with someone via SMS or had a serious cyber-argument with a friend? Using an SMS service to deal with the big things in life can lead to even bigger problems. There are certain things you should just not do with your thumbs. Here’s a list of what to avoid, no matter how tempting.
- Send a birthday message to a close friend. Why not call? The casual manner of sending a message, no matter how sweet you intend to be, can diminish the strength and meaning of the message.
- Break up with someone via SMS. Ever. Have the decency to end things in person. Sending a message is just cowardly.
- Send an angry message without thinking about it. Remember the person you’re sending the message to is going to have a chance to read it over and over again so saying something hurtful which you’ll probably regret later is going to be hard to fix.
- Ignore a good SMS. If someone says, “Have a good day,” simply respond with a, “You too” - if you have airtime, of course. It’s courteous to acknowledge receipt of messages and you’ll keep ties with people you want in your life.
- Forward SMS chain letters. You know those messages that promise to bring good luck if you send them to 10 friends? They’re just not cool and don’t work. They’ll more than likely just annoy your friends and waste your time and money.
- Give out your personal information. You may get SMSes from institutions asking for things such as your ID number or address. Don’t ever respond.
- Send personal messages or pictures. It may seem fine to send a naughty SMS to your boyfriend/girlfriend or funny (but embarrassing) picture of yourself to a friend but remember if that relationship ever turns sour theirs may not be the only eyes to see it.
- Text and send before reading the message. Always double-check your recipient’s name before sending an SMS. Just think: it will not go down well for your dad to get an SMS meant for your guy!
