Tuesday, January 16, 2018

The Art of Texting

I have never been a big fan of texting.
When I was younger and texting first started becoming more popular, I hated it because I didn't have people to text. As I got a little older I thought it was boring. Then I was just too lazy to type out everything I wanted to say. Now I hate texting for the simple reason that it will never be good as a real life conversation. Texting doesn't truly convey my meaning or personality. For example, in real life I can get away with saying dark, sarcastic stuff, because I do it with a laugh. I come across as bitchy during a text conversation.
I think I've become a little better about texting, mostly by becoming more self-aware. Recently I was seeing this guy who really loved carrying on long, meaningful conversations over text. I have learned how to text my peers, using the right emojis and the correct lingo. But I am always nervous to text someone new, especially if I don't know them well.
Emma and I on the town this week!
I am especially worried about this now. This week I have sent in New Jersey and last night I went out to hit the bars in Philadelphia. While at a bar called the Tattooed Mom, I met this guy and we just really hit it off. To be honest, we hit it off so well that if we lived in the same state... nevermind, let's focus on reality. The point is we don't. And so if this friendship will continue in any capacity, it is going to have to be through the use of 21st century technology. And since it's 2018 and not 2000, it's going to start with online messaging, not a call.
Since he reached out to me first by adding me on Facebook, I feel that it is my turn to reciprocate by messaging him first. However, there are several factors that I am extremely worried about:
1. While we hit it off, and I honestly know a lot about him, I don't know him well enough to feel like I know exactly what and how to text him. This one if pretty minor since I have this problem with everyone.
2. The only way we would ever see each other again is if we so incredibly hit it off via text that we agree to meet up. Other than that, there is no chance we're just going to run into each other. Therefore, if I mess it up over text, there's no easy way to make up for it in person. Refer back to my come off as a bitch over text, even though I have a pretty cute personality in real life if I do say so myself.
3. There's a pretty significant age difference. What if guys his age hate emojis and I use too many? Will he see me as juvenile and just decide it's easier to forget about me?
I don't know why this feels so important, but it does. Here is just the perfect example of when a technological advancement that should be making my life easier just stresses me out all the more.