There are some things you should never, ever say
I was hanging out in my room tonight with my door shut, not unusual, especially since both of my sisters had friends over. I am not a huge fan of listening to all that annoying high school gossip and listening to girls laugh and giggle in that high pitched voice over boys. Oh, by the way, Grace is in love. Just thought I would share in case you all wanted to know my sister’s friend’s business. Yea, I didn’t think so.
For anyone that knows me, I make up words all the time, and I don’t have the best grammar in the whole world, although Gaby seems to be on a mission to change that since she corrects me all the time. See any errors, Gaby? Well, aside from that, I’m pretty good about keeping my internet messaging shortcuts and acronyms out of my everyday speech. I’ve been on the internet since 1996 or about there, so I think I’m doing a fairly good job at that. It’s been hard btw.
Well, I’m minding my own business in my room, with my door shut. In fact, I even have some music on. But my sisters are loud, so it didn’t surprise me that I could still hear most of their conversations. Out of no where, and I mean no where, Andrea (she’s 14 in case you wanted to know) says “I’m just jay-kay-ing.” As in, jk. Are you kidding me? Is that really any easier than saying “I’m joking?”
Now, I’ve noticed this sort of behavior in her since I’ve returned from San Diego. For instance, when she finds something funny, she’ll smile and say “laugh out loud”, as in lol. Keep in mind, this is the same sister that thinks Gettysburg is in Russia.
Now, I’m all for making things easier, and I’m all for being lazy, which is why when I’m talking on instant messenger I will use some of the shortcuts mentioned above. However, I firmly believe that a) it doesn’t save me time or energy when using them in real life and b) I find it ridiculous and idiotic. So this makes me ask myself, do teenagers/kids do this often? Or is my sister in the minority. And, how does this effect their social lives? Honestly, if one of my friends ever said something like that to me, I would bitch slap them across the face and never talk to them again. Okay, maybe not never, but it would be a long time.
I don’t think the majority of teenagers do this although some have been known to. Personally, I think it is just plain dumb to use the abbreviations in real life out loud as they often take just as long to say as the full word. However, when writing I don’t think it is such a big deal – even in emails to good friends. Overall, IM abbreviations should be kept to typing.
Arthus Erea
January 12, 2007 at 6:21 am
I agree that when online, and talking to friends, that it’s appropriate to use. I do it all the time when IM’ing and emailing. Not excessively, but I still do it. The only problem is, what happens when it comes time to go for an interview, write an e-mail to your boss, or your professor? Is she going to know any better, or is it going to be so ingrained in her that she’ll keep saying those words?
Josh
January 12, 2007 at 4:05 pm
leave her alone, she’s a sweet kid. you may need to bitch slap her for the j-k-ing, but other than that… how do you know there’s not a gettysburg russia? maybe there is. by the way, bitch slapping is kind of hot
Amanda
January 12, 2007 at 6:59 pm
She is a sweet kid. There very well might be a Gettysburg Russia, but I wasn’t talking about that one. I was talking about the Civil War Gettysburg.
Josh
January 13, 2007 at 8:49 pm