I've been messing with everyone by text

[Stiles]

By not putting an X at the end of messages. Sometimes I go the full hog and put a full stop.

So far my dad wants to know if he's upset me and my teen came down to ask if he's in trouble. 😂

I usually chat online to mainly Americans and it's not the done thing with them so thought I'd drop it completely as it's a bit daft. British people are not ready for this.

My friends and family would be more worried if I DID put kisses at the end of a text. They'd have me sectioned.

I offered some stuff up on our local Facebook group. I then ignored the poster who called me "hun" and put 3 xs in favour of the one who didn't. Childish, I know, but I hate x used that way. It's for close friends and family only.

Didn't realise this was a thing to gauge the tone of someone by how they text, most people must think I'm a huge bitch in that case, I never put a X at the end of messages, even if I'm texting a person who does and I end every message with a full stop. I hate kisses at the end of texts. My sister does it, ranging from a single X to about 20 of them and it drives me mad, there's no need! If you're having a face to face conversation with someone do you physically kiss them after every sentence?! It baffles me.

@OppsUpsSide

I finish texts with full stops all the time, had no idea it was arsey, no wonder people think I’m stand offish 😂

You are not alone!

On the back of reading this thread I have gone back and checked my texting and whatsapping habits. The only x’s I have sent - or received for that matter - are for Birthday or Christmas. And I always punctuate and end with a full stop. I now wonder how many people I have unwittingly offended over time...

My adult son texts asking what he's done if I use his actual name rather than the diminutive form. His actual name is shorter so it's usually if I'm in a rush but it unnerves him I will try using a full stop instead of x to really worry him.

I put 'xoxo' to annoy people

It gives me the sweats when someone who usually puts kisses suddenly stops. The same as when someone puts 'K' in reply to a message... I have obviously done something deeply offensive 😂

I still remember the sharp intake of breath from my 6th form lang kids a few years ago when I told them I used full stops at the end.

I think it was the same lesson when they explained that 'speaking' to someone via message actually meant 'seeing' them.

Gaaahhh I hate this! So many people - on social media or in private messages - don't bother with punctuation any more and will always include either kisses at the end or a cheery emoji.

I have a friend on FB who puts an x after every single sentence instead of a full stop. He's nearly 40. Another friend a couple of years ago couldn't figure out if this guy she was messaging liked her or not because he was inconsistent with the number of kisses he put at the end of his messages. The hours she spent analysing his texts... dear lord! Or the woman I worked with who came across as this happy-go-lucky little miss sunshine in messages but was actually a bit of a miserable arse in real life... what a let down that was when we finally met.

I suppose it's partly because people hardly write proper letters anymore. If they did they'd have to use at least some punctuation, and emojis would certainly be off the table. And I guess you had to be clearer with what you were actually saying.

I do realise this makes me sound very old and grumpy by the way, but it really bothers me!

I just got an email (business) signed off from a new contact with an x. Felt a bit weird!!!

If I put xxx on a text message to my DC, they ask me if I'm going senile. I only use them where I feel it's appropriate for the message. I had no idea punctuation could be read that way, not that I have any intention of changing.

I have never signed off with a x on any email or WhatsApp. Hate it

I’m a little over 40. Everyone I text ends with X.

There is one mum at school who doesn’t. She’s literally the only person I know who doesn’t so I don’t X her either. I always feel I need to say something worthy of an exclamation mark or laughing emoji at the end of my message just to avoid the full stop.

I would genuinely be weirded out by a school mum ending a message with a “x”. Ew.

Dh and his friends pepper their texts and whats apps with x's.

quite funny to read...

"anyone got a circular saw i can borrow? xxxxxxx"
"spurs are shit xxxxxxx"
"fuck off you twat xxxxxxxxxx"

They are quite sensible adults IRL but clearly 14 year old boys when texting.

I have never put an X in my life.

It's not that long ago I stopped begining every text message with 'Further to your text message of [date]' and ending them with 'yours faithfully' because DP convinced me to be more casual.

Not using full stops in texts (or even semicolons for that matter) would make me feel ill.

My mum puts all her texts in capital letters. She finds it mentally difficult to do sentences without starting with a capital letter, and ending with full stops, as she says she thinks others will think she’s a bit illiterate! So all her texts come across as shouty instead.

@VettiyaIruken

Pooh. That's the modern equivalent of ending a letter with regards instead of warm/best regards. It means fuck off and die, you wanker. 😁

I'll see your 'Regards' and raise you 'Ending an email with just your name.' Email equivalent of lobbing a hammer at the recipient's head.

I don't put x's and neither do any of my friends. I don't even to dh I'm late 20's.

@Love2cycle

OP, thats brilliant. I think im gonna try it too! It is odd isn't it. We dont air kiss each other after each sentence when we chat IRL. I thought somw of friends in Europe were offish with me, until one of them asked why I put an x at the end. I didnt realky know how to desribe it, its just something we do. Ill let u know how it goes OP!!

This is so true, the air kiss thing! I never thought of it before but, yeah!

My sister once sent me a screenshot of a conversation she had with her DP. They literally put "xxx" on the end of every message. I said to her "Oh were you feeling romantic or something" and I was really surprised when she said they say everything like that and if they didn't the other would think there was something seriously wrong!

I only put it on my messages if it's a conversation ender, e.g. "OK see you tomorrow xx" or if it's a "I care about you" thing like "Oh no, I'm sorry you're still poorly xx"

Really I'd just rather use punctuation!

If I was texting and forth with my DM and she replied with just OK, I knew not to bother texting anymore as she had finished the conversation and wouldn't reply again 😂

My (male) cleaner called me “Hun” in a text the other day. He’s known me 3 weeks. That was interesting.

Hun or The Hun? Maybe you scare him.

Back and forth, fucks sake i'm having a fat finger day today

@SoupDragon

Putting full stops at the end of my texts to my children fills me with deep joy.

I never put an x. Explains why I get radio silence