slo’s MONDAY 10/20 poll - Printing vs Cursive Writing ✏️

[Forevermarypoppins]

We gave a birthday card to one of our granddaughters a couple years ago, and I wrote a message to her in cursive. She had to have our other granddaughter read it to her as she couldn’t. I find that so very sad.

I write 95% of the time in cursive.

It's not only sad, but I find it inexcusable that it isn't taught as a regular requirement.

 

[Kite16510]

I'm 60. I learned how to write in cursive in first grade and I love my handwriting. I get compliments on it frequently. I also work in school and I have worked in all grades. I work as a teaching assistant and many times I've been given the cursive curriculum To work on with children. I try to make them love cursive writing. I agree that it becomes a code to those who can't read it.

I do print for people who just can't read cursive and if I'm writing something out for a parent and I'm not sure if they are a cursive reader. I think it's a shame that we're losing this skill and I try to do everything that I can to help reinforce that it's not difficult to learn.

I'm also a big fan of Roman numerals. Sometimes when I'm having a really hard time writing, I'll go to my journal and just write out Roman numerals until I get sleepy. I know that sounds really weird. It's very soothing though.

 

[amcnj]

I do use both printing and cursive. But I’d say cursive is my default. Especially when I am taking notes as someone is speaking, or in general trying to write something quickly.

Printing is preferred when I want to make sure someone else will be able to read it!

 

[Dan Murphy]

If writing, generally cursive. Print if filling out a form that needs to be completed offline. Guy over 50.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I sign my name and write checks in the cursive but for all other situations it's always been print.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It's not only sad, but I find it inexcusable that it isn't taught as a regular requirement.

To be fair being taught to read cursive does NOT mean you can actually read someone's cursive handwriting. People of all ages I've been around, many of whom were absolutely taught cursive (my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc), struggle with reading at least someone's handwriting. Normally it's a word or two but sometimes multiple words in a message. Literally nothing new there.

 

[disneychrista]

It's not only sad, but I find it inexcusable that it isn't taught as a regular requirement.

Why? It is not something it used anymore. Times change.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

How many people’s signatures are actual cursive letters?

Perhaps some could recognize the K and D in my signature, but everything else is just squiggly lines.

Edited to add:
How often are people needing to write their signature in today's world?

E signature is where it's at.

In order to deposit a check for our bank you sign the back of it and theoretically it's supposed to match that with your other signatures you've used. My husband had to do that just today after getting a reimbursement check in the mail from his HSA account after buying his eyeglasses online, yes he was able to mobile deposit it but he still needed to sign the back of it. That's what you're supposed to do that is. Back when health care companies were required to cover the costs of covid tests that was also something we had to do was sign the back of the reimbursement checks.

All the back of my cards (CC, checking, etc) say a signature is needed. Now whether everyone is doing that or not IDK. Your passport needs your signature on it so that's an occurrence there although no not a situation one would frequently encounter. DMV requires a signature for your DL and how often depends on a variety of things like the renewal cycle, the rules surrounding age, name changes, etc (although I know states have online renewals generally the DMV needs your signature at least initially at least ours does).

When we first did our mortgage in 2014 I do remember e-signing documents related to our buyer's agent but the actual closing docs were in person. Even our refi in 2020 was in person. I'm not sure if the companies have changed since then.

Bill pay (where you have your bank send a check on your behalf) has been around for ages, still that doesn't absolve from every situation in which case you may be needed to physically sign.

 

[tvguy]

I never really understood the outrage people have towards kids not learning cursive anymore. I really don't see how it's a necessary skill. Though I can see how some kids may actually find it easier than using print so in those cases, I understand wanting to learn.

The issue isn't so much learning to WRITE cursive, it is having the ability to READ it. I have run into people who can't read cursive because they never learned to write it.

 

[tvguy]

Sounds like an opportunity to embrace the 21st century and go electronic.

With todays major digital outage, maybe we want to think twice about that. What a mess.

 

[kdonnel]

With todays major digital outage, maybe we want to thing twice about that. What a mess.

Nah.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Only useful thing for cursive is my signature.

 

[tvguy]

Nah.

100's of Billions of dollars lost during today's outage, no big deal. Lord help us.

 

[kdonnel]

In order to deposit a check for our bank you sign the back of it and theoretically it's supposed to match that with your other signatures you've used. My husband had to do that just today after getting a reimbursement check in the mail from his HSA account after buying his eyeglasses online, yes he was able to mobile deposit it but he still needed to sign the back of it. That's what you're supposed to do that is. Back when health care companies were required to cover the costs of covid tests that was also something we had to do was sign the back of the reimbursement checks.

All the back of my cards (CC, checking, etc) say a signature is needed. Now whether everyone is doing that or not IDK. Your passport needs your signature on it so that's an occurrence there although no not a situation one would frequently encounter. DMV requires a signature for your DL and how often depends on a variety of things like the renewal cycle, the rules surrounding age, name changes, etc (although I know states have online renewals generally the DMV needs your signature at least initially at least ours does).

When we first did our mortgage in 2014 I do remember e-signing documents related to our buyer's agent but the actual closing docs were in person. Even our refi in 2020 was in person. I'm not sure if the companies have changed since then.

Bill pay (where you have your bank send a check on your behalf) has been around for ages, still that doesn't absolve from every situation in which case you may be needed to physically sign.

Not sure if I have been doing it wrong for the past 15+ years but I have never written more than for deposit only when doing a mobile deposit. Never had an issue.

And I think restaurants are about the only place where the merchant even touches my credit card. They certainly don’t hang around to check my signature. Otherwise I tap my card or phone at every other merchant.

Just met in person with my financial advisor. Even though we were in person when it came to signing documents they sent an e-mail and we e-signed.

My last two closings were all e signatures.

My last three car purchases were e signatures. Two on iPads and one on a giant digital desk. In each case they provide me with a copy of all the documents on a usb drive.

I stand by my belief that physical signatures are less and less needed. At least in the life I live.

I think even Japan is starting to allow e signatures in place of a hanko stamp.

 

[kdonnel]

100's of Billions of dollars lost during today's outage, no big deal. Lord help us.

Didn’t say it wasn’t a big deal. But no reason the go back 50 years and do things non electronically. That would waste even more money than an outage.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Not sure if I have been doing it wrong for the past 15+ years but I have never written more than for deposit only when doing a mobile deposit. Never had an issue.

And I think restaurants are about the only place where the merchant even touches my credit card. They certainly don’t hang around to check my signature. Otherwise I tap my card or phone at every other merchant.

Just met in person with my financial advisor. Even though we were in person when it came to signing documents they sent an e-mail and we e-signed.

My last two closings were all e signatures.

My last three car purchases were e signatures. Two on iPads and one on a giant digital desk. In each case they provide me with a copy of all the documents on a usb drive.

I stand by my belief that physical signatures are less and less needed. At least in the life I live.

I think even Japan is starting to allow e signatures in place of a hanko stamp.

Also...is there anything that says a signature needs to be in cursive?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Not sure if I have been doing it wrong for the past 15+ years but I have never written more than for deposit only when doing a mobile deposit. Never had an issue.

And I think restaurants are about the only place where the merchant even touches my credit card. They certainly don’t hang around to check my signature. Otherwise I tap my card or phone at every other merchant.

Just met in person with my financial advisor. Even though we were in person when it came to signing documents they sent an e-mail and we e-signed.

My last two closings were all e signatures.

My last three car purchases were e signatures. Two on iPads and one on a giant digital desk. In each case they provide me with a copy of all the documents on a usb drive.

I stand by my belief that physical signatures are less and less needed. At least in the life I live.

I think even Japan is starting to allow e signatures in place of a hanko stamp.

I don't think you're listening to posters here who have told you instances where they can't e-sign. I don't think you're paying attention to posters either who have said there are things you can e-sign for. Whether or not you can for one thing should obviously mean it doesn't exist for everything.

As far as bank I mean the back of every check I have ever received advises you to sign for it. Now for our bank in particular with mobile banking they also request you add "for mobile banking" under your signature although that is newer.

We can go back and forth all day long on instances where you and I both have been able to e-sign, I mean I literally told you I e-signed docs more than 10yrs ago. We can also go back and forth on instances where you don't e-sign or aren't given the option to. You asked "How often are people needing to write their signature in today's world?" People answered. If you're not actually seeing what posters are writing (pun sorta intended I guess) can't help you there.

 

[kdonnel]

Also...is there anything that says a signature needs to be in cursive?

I don’t think so.

 

[kdonnel]

I don't think you're listening to posters here who have told you instances where they can't e-sign. I don't think you're paying attention to posters either who have said there are things you can e-sign for. Whether or not you can for one thing should obviously mean it doesn't exist for everything.

As far as bank I mean the back of every check I have ever received advises you to sign for it. Now for our bank in particular with mobile banking they also request you add "for mobile banking" although that is newer.

We can go back and forth all day long on instances where you and I both have been able to e-sign, I mean I literally told you I e-signed docs more than 10yrs ago. We can also go back and forth on instances where you don't e-sign or aren't given the option to. You asked "How often are people needing to write their signature in today's world?" People answered. If you're not actually seeing what posters are writing (pun sorta intended I guess) can't help you there.

And I’m not sure you read the line where I said in the life I live.

I believe people have to, much less than they did 10 years ago and much more than they will need to in 10 years.

A signature will soon only have value as a collectors item.

Sure like travel agents it will hang around for specific purposes for a while.

But like land lines, cash, newspapers, etc, the signature is less and less needed.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I don't think you're listening to posters here who have told you instances where they can't e-sign. I don't think you're paying attention to posters either who have said there are things you can e-sign for. Whether or not you can for one thing should obviously mean it doesn't exist for everything.

As far as bank I mean the back of every check I have ever received advises you to sign for it. Now for our bank in particular with mobile banking they also request you add "for mobile banking" under your signature although that is newer.

We can go back and forth all day long on instances where you and I both have been able to e-sign, I mean I literally told you I e-signed docs more than 10yrs ago. We can also go back and forth on instances where you don't e-sign or aren't given the option to. You asked "How often are people needing to write their signature in today's world?" People answered. If you're not actually seeing what posters are writing (pun sorta intended I guess) can't help you there.

What is someone's signature isn't actually in cursive though? Is that allowed?