You might be texting all wrong
Plus: the top Charlotte news from this week
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Generations text differently. Advice from a 22-year-old: Use appropriate enthusiasm, don’t settle for ‘lol’ and watch those ‘!!’ replies
by Emily Mecia
It can be hard keeping up with the slang and texting culture of Gen Z.
We’re here today to teach you some common texting mistakes — and how to fix them. You’ll be impressing your kids in no time!
Lesson #1: Conveying enthusiasm: ‘Ok’ is not always okay…
Common mistake and how to fix:
Sometimes responding to texts with “Ok” or “K” can come across as impolite even if you don’t mean it to. Instead, try adding something else to make your response sound more enthusiastic. Examples of more enthusiastic responses include:
Ok!
Kk
Ok, sounds good!
Sounds good!
Great!
Perfect
Example of incorrect usage:
Text: Hey I’m on my way to pick you up!
Reply: Ok
Analysis: Responding with just “Ok” isn’t necessarily wrong in this situation, but it could come across as impolite. As the person who texted that I’m on my way, I may take the reply of “Ok” to mean they’re not excited that I’m coming to pick them up. I also used an exclamation point in my text, conveying that I’m enthusiastic, so since the response didn’t match my level of enthusiasm, it may also make me doubt whether or not they’re excited to see me.
Example of correct usage:
Text: Hey I’m on my way to pick you up!
Reply: Sounds good! 😊
Analysis: That’s a more enthusiastic response that better matches the tone of what I said originally.
Lesson #2: iMessage reactions
Common mistake and how to fix:
Using the “!!” iMessage reaction does not mean “Wow!” It actually signifies agreement. If you read a message and think to yourself “Wow,” instead of using the “!!” reaction, you could instead say:
Wow!
Cool!
Love it
Use the iMessage heart reaction: ❤️
Example of incorrect usage:
If you’re amazed by a plate of delicious-looking nachos, don’t use the “!!” reaction if you mean “Wow!” A better reply would be “Wow!” “Cool!” or the heart reaction (❤️).
Analysis: By emphasizing this message, this person meant to say “Wow!” But really, they’re saying that they also had delicious nachos for dinner last night.
Example of correct usage:
Text: I’m excited to watch the last episode of Ted Lasso after work!
Reply: !! [emphasis reaction]
Analysis: By emphasizing this message, this person is expressing that they are also excited to watch the last episode of “Ted Lasso” after work.
Lesson #3: Responding to funny texts
Common mistakes and how to fix:
Using “lol” (laugh out loud) or “lmao” (laughing my a— off) to respond to a funny text can sound sarcastic. Instead, try these tactics to convey your laughter:
Add words or emojis in addition to lol, such as “lol no way”
Capitalize your texts. “LOL” or “LMAO” or “HAHA” conveys more enthusiasm.
Add an exclamation point: “Hahah!” Or “Lol!!”
Use the iMessage “HaHa” reaction
Say “hahaha” (+ more ha’s depending on how funny it is)
Example of incorrect usage:
Text: Did you know that Scotland’s national animal is a unicorn? 🤣🦄
Reply: Lol
Analysis: Responding to this funny text with just “Lol” can seem sarcastic and indicates that you didn’t find your friend’s text to be funny.
Example of correct usage:
Text: Did you know that Scotland’s national animal is a unicorn? 🤣🦄
Reply: Hahaha omg really!!
Analysis: By responding with more enthusiasm, you sound much more interested and engaged in the conversation. This might make your friend feel comfortable and reassured to text you more funny things in the future. [Fact check: Scotland’s national animal actually is the unicorn]
Lesson #4: The right amount of punctuation
Common mistake and how to fix:
You don’t need to use that much punctuation in your text messages. Texts are meant to be more casual, so don’t feel as though you need to end each one with a period, use a full sentence structure or have the most accurate grammar. You also don’t need to sign your texts at the end the way you would an email.
Example of incorrect usage:
Text:
Hello,
I hope your day is going well! It was nice seeing you this past weekend at the park. I hope we can see each other again soon.
-Jackson
Example of correct usage:
Text: Hey! So great seeing you. Let’s definitely hang again soon
Lesson #5: Appropriate text length
Common mistake and how to fix:
Sometimes reading one long paragraph of text that switches subjects multiple times can be confusing or hard to digest. Instead of sending one long message, try to focus on one subject per text that you send. It’s OK to send several shorter texts or wait until the person responds to follow up with more questions.
Example of incorrect usage:
Text: Hey! Did you have a good week at work? It’s been a really crazy week around here. I’ve had so many meetings. What are you up to this weekend? I think I’m going to try to clean the house and maybe go see a movie if I can get around to it. Any news yet on whether Izzy found an apartment? I’m dying to know!
Analysis: This long paragraph of text has too many different subjects and could be difficult for someone to digest or respond to all at once. Instead, try to focus on one subject per text. People will likely respond faster if you break up the text a little.
Example of correct usage:
A text conversation flows better if it doesn’t have long, meandering paragraphs.
Analysis: Breaking up the paragraph allows us to have a smoother, longer conversation and ask more follow-up questions. It also makes it easier for the other person to respond because they only have to answer one question at a time.
Lesson #6: Slang you can use in your texts
These are a few common texting terms that Gen Z uses. Try using them in your responses when you can!
Wdym = What do you mean?
Iykyk = If you know you know
Bet = Yes/OK/Cool
Aight = Alright
Aight bet = OK, cool
Tbh = To be honest
Facts = That’s true/I agree
Fr = For real
Lmk = Let me know
Lyk = Let you know
Otw = On the way
Ig = I guess
Rn = Right now
Btw = By the way
Valid = That’s reasonable/true
Say less = I understand/I got it
Secured the bag = When you ask someone to get something and they got it/You received money
Slay = You’re killing it/good job
No cap = Not a lie
Overall, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to text. Text however you feel most comfortable.
But these are some of the current texting trends that younger generations are using to communicate. Try some of them out next time you text!
At age 22, Emily Mecia is a Gen Z-er. She is the daughter of Gen X Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia. Emily is a graduate of Myers Park High School and UNC Chapel Hill and recently started her first job in corporate America.
Today’s supporting sponsor is the 2023 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. You can do this! (Yes, YOU!) There’s an event for every goal and pace at the 2023 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon: Full marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, or the Chick-fil-A 5k! It all happens Saturday, November 4. REGISTER NOW!
This week in Charlotte: General Assembly veto overrides on gender issues, developer drops uptown plans, regulators scrutinize Aldersgate finances, CMS looks for bus drivers
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Politics
Veto overrides on gender issues: (Associated Press) Republican supermajorities in North Carolina’s General Assembly overrode Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetos on several bills on Wednesday on gender in sports, gender-transition procedures and LGBT instruction in the classroom.
Rare political endorsement by the mayor: (WSOC) Mayor Vi Lyles is making a rare political endorsement in a Democratic primary, backing the opponent of incumbent council member Renee Johnson in District 4. Lyles says she supports Wil Russell, a construction manager and member of the planning commission. Johnson said the mayor’s decision was “disappointing.”
Education
Still short on bus drivers: (WFAE) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is short 82 bus drivers heading into the school year, even as CMS cuts its bus fleet to operate with fewer drivers. The shortage represents about 10% of routes.
Exploring options after school shifts: (Ledger 🔒) Some parents whose children were shifted in the spring’s CMS reassignment are exploring options such as private and charter schools, and some are looking into finding other addresses they can use to attend the schools they want.
Local news
Police shooting lawsuit revived: (Observer) A federal appeals court revived a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Ruben Galindo, who was shot by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police in 2017. A federal judge in Charlotte had ruled in favor of an officer and the city, but the appeals court said the case can continue.
I-77 toll lane proposal rejected: (WFAE) The N.C. Department of Transportation says it won’t move forward on an unsolicited proposal by the Spanish company Cintra to build toll lanes on I-77 between uptown and the South Carolina line.
Business
Developer out on uptown tower project: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) Plans for a big uptown Seventh and Tryon mixed-use development have been scrapped, after the Washington, D.C.-area real estate firm that had been working with Mecklenburg County pulled out of the project. The county might sell portions of the site separately.
Regulators scrutinize Aldersgate’s finances: (Ledger 🔒) The N.C. Department of Insurance has stepped up financial oversight of east Charlotte retirement community Aldersgate after determining that it is “in imminent danger of becoming insolvent and in a hazardous financial condition.”
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Rural rebound: Many rural areas in North Carolina are experiencing bumps in new residents since Covid, after years of population declines, according to a Ledger analysis of census data. Demographers are skeptical the trend will persist.
Lawsuit update: UNC Chapel Hill is seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a former Morehead-Cain scholar who says he was improperly kicked out after four women complained of sexual misconduct.
Covid warning: Mecklenburg County’s health department is warning of a Covid “surge,” even though Covid hospitalizations are at low levels.
Chick-fil-A demolition: The Chick-fil-A on Randolph Road in Cotswold was demolished last weekend, as the restaurant plans a new building with an expanded drive-thru.
Wednesday (🔒)
Booster: A new Covid booster shot is expected to be available next month.
New podcast 🎧: Crystal Emerick, founder and executive director of Brave Step, talks about her organization’s work empowering individuals who have been affected by sexual abuse.
Charity spotlight: Nonprofit ourBRIDGE offers free afterschool and summer programs for refugee and immigrant children.
Friday (🔒)
Atrium lawsuits: A new study by state Treasurer Dale Folwell says Atrium Health filed the most lawsuits against patients for nonpayment since 2017. Atrium says it no longer sues patients to collect what it is owed and provides millions in free care to people who can’t afford it.
Delayed meeting minutes: The city of Charlotte has not published minutes of a full City Council meeting since March 2022, which makes it difficult for residents to get information about council decisions and discussions. The city says it is aware of the backlog and is working to correct the problem.
Candidate reception: More than 100 people turned out Thursday to meet City Council candidates in an event sponsored by the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce, CLT Public Relations and The Charlotte Ledger.
Online alcohol: The Mecklenburg County ABC Board’s new online ordering system, which is being tested in a single store, has been averaging one order a day since its debut this month.
The future of Charlotte’s airport: Two experts on Charlotte airport’s design and future plans speak with us on the vision for the future — including why the airport still matters for economic development in the era of remote work, all the construction that’s underway, whether CLT will ever have a people-mover train and, of course, those rocking chairs. Also available as a podcast 🎧.
The wives and girlfriends of Charlotte FC players have formed a community that welcomes the families of new players — maybe of whom come from foreign countries. They do charity work together and help create bonds that make the adjustments to Charlotte easier.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman, BC Creative
In our evolving environment of transgender, gender fluid, non-binary etc. individuals, you may want to reflect that in your writing instead of reverting to old paradigms related to heterosexuality.
Fútbol Friday
The wives and girlfriends of Charlotte FC players have formed a community that welcomes the families of new players — maybe of whom come from foreign countries. They do charity work together and help create bonds that make the adjustments to Charlotte easier.