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AIBU?

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Original poster

Are full stops passive aggressive?

288 replies

Samas · 07/09/2025 22:16

Are full stops really passive-aggressive now? According to my colleague they are, especially in text messages. Apparently, ending a sentence correctly is no longer “neutral” but somehow comes across as cold or hostile.

yabu= full stops are indeed PA
yanbu= of course they’re not

OP posts:
Sporadica · 07/09/2025 22:39

Now. That. You. Mention. It. Yes. They. Are.

But you've caught the tail end of the trend.

Next! Week! It! Will! Be! Exclamation! Marks!

murasaki · 07/09/2025 22:39

I don't know how some of these people manage to get out of bed in the morning.

NoSuchThingAsAFreeHoliday · 07/09/2025 22:38

My daughter always asked why I’m pissed off if I end a text with a full stop. Apparently it shows I’m cross about something.

Notalertedtoday · 07/09/2025 22:38

Punctuation indicates and marks the end of an idea: it facilitates a reader’s understanding.
WTAF is this ridiculous reaction?

Hillarious · 07/09/2025 22:37

Perhaps it’s best those of us over 30 don’t send emails to those under 30 . . . if there’s any chance our punctuation prowess might cause offence.

Crazycatladywithnocats · 07/09/2025 22:36

No, I’m not pandering to this. I always punctuate in my texts and no one has thought me as being “PA” .

Thunderdcc · 07/09/2025 22:36

Yep. My apprentice admitted the other day she often re-reads messages to check if the person is cross with her or just using correct punctuation.

It made us all laugh so much we have all started sending just single full stops as Teams messages to each other.

GalaxyStars · 07/09/2025 22:36

Sorry, I voted the wrong way! I read the first one as ‘IABU full stops are needed’! Doh, in my defence, it’s dark and I’m tired. Sorry!

ClaudiaWrinklemum · 07/09/2025 22:35

No, the opposite. The most passive aggressive person I ever knew used to miss full stops from the ends of texts. Like she couldn’t be arsed finishing it properly.

Arlanymor · 07/09/2025 22:34

Samas · 07/09/2025 22:30

I don’t know how anyone can get by if proper punctuation is offensive.

Quite. If I want to be aggressive in a text message (rarely) then the recipient will be in no doubt as to my intention! But a full stop? C’mon that’s stupid.

GleisZwei · 07/09/2025 22:33

Samas · 07/09/2025 22:30

I don’t know how anyone can get by if proper punctuation is offensive.

Agreed.
Getting offended is a whole new hobby nowadays though!

Rightandwrong · 07/09/2025 22:33

SoloSofa24 · 07/09/2025 22:22

Apparently so, if you are under 30 and it's in a text/whatsapp/snapchat/whatever message.

I still use punctuation in most of my text messages, even to my 20-something DCs, but I am ancient.

Well isn't it sad that people under 30 are showing themselves up to be so ignorant and ill educated?
I seriously hope that right minded people don't buy into this nonsense.

Original poster
Samas · 07/09/2025 22:30

I don’t know how anyone can get by if proper punctuation is offensive.

OP posts:
GleisZwei · 07/09/2025 22:29

Rockfordpeach · 07/09/2025 22:25

If i finish a text message to my DP with a full stop, he phones me to see why im cross with him

Why?

Rightandwrong · 07/09/2025 22:29

GladioliGreen · 07/09/2025 22:26

According to my teenagers they are. They asked me not to put full stops in my texts to them because it makes it seem like I'm mad at them.

I hope you refuse to reduce yourself to the level of an illiterate.

GleisZwei · 07/09/2025 22:29

Full stops in the correct place are not passive aggressive.
Full.stops.in.the.wrong.place.are.passive.aggressive (though are those technically full stops?).
Short sentences can be seen as rude in some scenarios.

Zov · 07/09/2025 22:28

GladioliGreen · 07/09/2025 22:26

According to my teenagers they are. They asked me not to put full stops in my texts to them because it makes it seem like I'm mad at them.

I hope you texted back and told them they are batshit.

And that you didn't forget the full stop.

Rightandwrong · 07/09/2025 22:27

Rockfordpeach · 07/09/2025 22:25

If i finish a text message to my DP with a full stop, he phones me to see why im cross with him

Then he obviously has serious mental health issues.

Zov · 07/09/2025 22:27

.

Excuse Me What GIF
arethereanyleftatall · 07/09/2025 22:27

Lol, I had no idea about this till I read this thread. Mind, I’m 50 now 💪

GladioliGreen · 07/09/2025 22:26

According to my teenagers they are. They asked me not to put full stops in my texts to them because it makes it seem like I'm mad at them.

Timeforabitofpeace · 07/09/2025 22:26

😂

OP posts:
ThatPeachFox · 07/09/2025 22:25

Samas · 07/09/2025 22:16

Are full stops really passive-aggressive now? According to my colleague they are, especially in text messages. Apparently, ending a sentence correctly is no longer “neutral” but somehow comes across as cold or hostile.

yabu= full stops are indeed PA
yanbu= of course they’re not

My old manager wouldn't let me use exclamation marks, because he though it looked like sarcasm.
People are petty

Rockfordpeach · 07/09/2025 22:25

If i finish a text message to my DP with a full stop, he phones me to see why im cross with him

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