Texting etiquette- parent/child

[tzolkin]

Like others, I can see where one could read the text in different tones and come up with varying levels of “rudeness”. I could see being either mad (and reprimanding my kid) or perfectly fine with this depending on the context and tone.

I also do not see where anyone can know how polite the child actually was or not based on the one text. Most people do not write paragraphs/full thoughts in one text but rather over multiple brief text messages. We didn’t see the messages before or after.

People keep mentioning the lack of “please and thank you”, but we don’t have the full context. Perhaps the conversation went like this—

Kid: Can you PLEASE pick me up when the party is over?

Mom: Sure, just text me when you’re ready and I’ll head right over.

Kid: Thank you so much!!!

Kid: okay, you can come get me now. I’ll be waiting outside.

And then another thank you and a hug in person when mom shows up.


Somewhat OT, but I do find “K” to be rude/short. I know that’s not how most people intend it, so I overlook it but my initial response is always to be slightly offended.

 

[LSUmiss]

It really has nothing to do with you. Maybe just mind your business and move on with your life.

While I don’t have a problem with the text & don’t really have an opinion on that. I disagree with your comment in that if you (collective you) expect ppl to mind their business then don’t put your business out there for the world to see. For every person who gives you a “like”, there may be just as many who are making negative comments about you. So if you don’t want that, keep your business to yourself.

 

[design_mom]

Somewhat OT, but I do find “K” to be rude/short. I know that’s not how most people intend it, so I overlook it but my initial response is always to be slightly offended.

I'm also not fond of "K." My perception of it is dismissive, kind of like when the kids say " 'kay, mom..." when you know they didn't listen to what you just said. They just want you to stop talking. I doubt that's how its meant, and I try to keep that in mind, but I like "OK" a lot better and that's only one more letter.

Also, my name gets abbreviated to "K" in our family group texts, so it always takes me a second to figure out what "K" means. Does K mean "Kim" or "okay" or something else?

 

[Hikergirl]

Somewhat OT, but I do find “K” to be rude/short. I know that’s not how most people intend it, so I overlook it but my initial response is always to be slightly offended.

Can I ask why you get offended by that? What answer would not offend you? Is it situation specific?

My dd just texted me this morning to let me know she arrived at her boyfriend's dorm an hour away because I asked her to let me know when she got there. I responded "K". I am failing to see how that is offensive so I'm going to assume that it is only in certain conversations it could be taken so (although that isn't how I ever see it).

 

[tzolkin]

I'm also not fond of "K." My perception of it is dismissive, kind of like when the kids say " 'kay, mom..." when you know they didn't listen to what you just said. They just want you to stop talking. I doubt that's how its meant, and I try to keep that in mind, but I like "OK" a lot better and that's only one more letter.

Yes, my gut reaction every time is “they’re annoyed and want me to shut up”. I then have to remind myself that this person always uses “K” in texts to everyone even when they’re very interested and enthusiastic, so that’s not how they meant it at all.

On the other hand, I use punctuation most of the time and apparently many people consider that to be way more rude.

“K” vs “Okay.”

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Somewhat OT, but I do find “K” to be rude/short. I know that’s not how most people intend it, so I overlook it but my initial response is always to be slightly offended.

It's always about context to me.

Ok,Okay, Okie Dokie, K, etc all can be used to be dismissive, rude or short (if you really wanted to say something else and you bit your tongue).

It's not worth it to me to get upset about it unless it's in the midst of an argument, spat, etc or I know me and the other person aren't getting along at the moment and it's being used in that way that you're thinking.

 

[Skellingtonj]

While I don’t have a problem with the text & don’t really have an opinion on that. I disagree with your comment in that if you (collective you) expect ppl to mind their business then don’t put your business out there for the world to see. For every person who gives you a “like”, there may be just as many who are making negative comments about you. So if you don’t want that, keep your business to yourself.

Ok but her putting it out there in social media was her call. I’m sure she didn’t think her “friends” would turn around and post it on other social media outlets as a “what not to do” you know?

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

When people text me “K”, I respond with “Potassium?”
Everyone laughs (okay *I* laugh) and we all move on.

 

[Turn the Page]

I'm also not fond of "K." My perception of it is dismissive, kind of like when the kids say " 'kay, mom..." when you know they didn't listen to what you just said. They just want you to stop talking. I doubt that's how its meant, and I try to keep that in mind, but I like "OK" a lot better and that's only one more letter.

Also, my name gets abbreviated to "K" in our family group texts, so it always takes me a second to figure out what "K" means. Does K mean "Kim" or "okay" or something else?

Yes, my gut reaction every time is “they’re annoyed and want me to shut up”. I then have to remind myself that this person always uses “K” in texts to everyone even when they’re very interested and enthusiastic, so that’s not how they meant it at all.

On the other hand, I use punctuation most of the time and apparently many people consider that to be way more rude.

“K” vs “Okay.”

This is how I usually interpret "k" as well. My mom uses k a lot and I always have to remind myself she isn't being curt or dismissive she is just using text speak.

 

[Skellingtonj]

“K” doesn’t bother me. My mom does it. She’s just telling me whatever i said is ok. I don’t read anymore into it then that

 

[Runnergal]

Texts are meant to be as short as possible, imo.

 

[ford family]

We cruise a great deal and meet many, many Americans doing the same thing.
We, and other non Americans, often comment on how rarely these Americans use common courtesies such as please and thankyou. I don't believe they mean to be rude, it is just their way.
A number of comments on this thread go some way to explain the background to this phenomenon.

ford family

 

[LSUmiss]

Ok but her putting it out there in social media was her call. I’m sure she didn’t think her “friends” would turn around and post it on other social media outlets as a “what not to do” you know?

Idk I just feel like when you put your business out for the public to see you subject yourself to judgment.

 

[LSUmiss]

We cruise a great deal and meet many, many Americans doing the same thing.
We, and other non Americans, often comment on how rarely these Americans use common courtesies such as please and thankyou. I don't believe they mean to be rude, it is just their way.
A number of comments on this thread go some way to explain the background to this phenomenon.

ford family

I don’t know how I feel about the texts. Doesn’t really bother me. But, I do agrrr we have a rude problem here. Haven’t been abroad can’t compare...but in WDW it’s certainly 100 times worse.

 

[kimblebee]

It's always about context to me.

Ok,Okay, Okie Dokie, K, etc all can be used to be dismissive, rude or short (if you really wanted to say something else and you bit your tongue).

It's not worth it to me to get upset about it unless it's in the midst of an argument, spat, etc or I know me and the other person aren't getting along at the moment and it's being used in that way that you're thinking.

I’m with you, K is very dismissive.

my daughter and I use it to mean ok, I have something else to do or I’m done talking about this now. One will say k and the other will say kk. Then the conversation is done.

 

[soccerdad72]

I'm surprised it took 6 pages to get the first 'Rude Americans' comment.

 

[Hikergirl]

I’m with you, K is very dismissive.

my daughter and I use it to mean ok, I have something else to do or I’m done talking about this now. One will say k and the other will say kk. Then the conversation is done.

You and your dd may use it in a dismissive way but that does not mean it is dismissive.
If you look up text chat acronyms you will find 'K' for Okay.
If you look up Okay definition you are going to find nothing that states it is used to dismiss anything in fact it is the opposite and it is used for approval of something.

I'm guessing those who feel it is dismissive is because those who use it in response to you are doing it in a dismissive way. Which is more an individual's personal issue rather than an issue with the use of "K" in general.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I'm surprised it took 6 pages to get the first 'Rude Americans' comment.

We’re raising uncivilized swine

 

[Allison]

We cruise a great deal and meet many, many Americans doing the same thing.

Texting for brevity?

Doing what "same thing"?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I’m with you, K is very dismissive.

my daughter and I use it to mean ok, I have something else to do or I’m done talking about this now. One will say k and the other will say kk. Then the conversation is done.

I don't think it's dismissive..just saying it can be--my mom wasn't being dismissive of me in my earlier comment I posted about signing the baby shower card for example.

Some people read "K" an always see it as dismissive or are slightly offended by it (as the poster I quoted mentioned they were).

Me, I take a look at the context of the situation because Ok, Okay, Okie Dokie, and K can all be dismissive when used in a certain way even if someone adds more letters to "K". But all of those examples can also be completely harmless too