To wonder whether it's mostly Brits that put "x" at the end of messages?

[Stamen196]

I was on a Facebook group where a text conversation had been screenshotted, and someone from the US was very confused about what "xxx" meant on the end of every reply. When explained, they said it was only really used in greetings cards over there. I genuinely thought it was a universal thing!

It just occurred to me that people outside the UK probably think British people (not all) just hand out kisses all the time for no reason. It's true for me personally, as I feel like my texts are way too formal without an "x"!). Bad habit I guess.

I didn't know it was a British thing until someone in a US based Facebook group I'm in asked what it meant. I was genuinely surprised to find it wasn't universal

I think we can’t help ourselves because it’s a way to show we are being polite.

My best friend is Polish and doesn’t do it, so I’ve kind of adopted her way of replying and have to remember if it’s a Brit that ‘x’ is basically the text equivalent of ‘kind regards’.

I have a friend who doesn’t do it often but does with me. It’s funny, because he’ll forget and then I’ll get a follow up ‘x’ message.

I only add the odd x to messages I send to my mum and dad. I did an Access course recently and my classmates added them to every single bloody message on our group whatsapp. I fought it at first but then I started doing it too (only there of course!), I still occasionally shake my head at my inability to stay true to my 'no xxxs on texts' rule at college

That said, I think it's quite sweet and friendly, I'm neither of those things though.

I very rarely use x at the end of a message, it just feels odd if I do it For some reason because I just never have (I do in cards to family though) .
Nearly all my friends do though so I was aware I needed to end with something so generally put a 🙂 at the end instead

Actually maybe this will be the thread I can ask anonymously
What does xoxo mean?

From the UK and don't do it either. Honestly, I think it's chavvy.
What really baffles me is when people put x's through a post eg.
So I walked home x then saw the doorbell was hanging off x then a strange smell of liquorice x and then I saw it x

I go one step further and have different X formations for different people!🙊
x - for acquaintances
Xx - colleagues, friends
Xxx - family mainly but maybe my best friend too.
I think a text looks really bald/like you're annoyed without one.

I do it with friends on texts and WhatsApp’s but I find it baffling that people do it on here and on Facebook groups with complete randoms. Almost as annoying as “hon/hun”

I do it, but I use it more as a pleasant sign off rather than an actual kiss, if I actually want to send kisses I will either put a few crosses or more likely sign of with an emoji.

So I walked home x then saw the doorbell was hanging off x then a strange smell of liquorice x and then I saw it shock x

Ugh. Almost as bad as "So I walked home... then saw the doorbell was hanging off... then a strange smell of liquorice... and then I saw it shock..." Which really does make it sound as though the writer is falling gradually into a coma as the pauses get longer and longer. What's wrong with actual punctuation? One full stop or comma is EASIER to type than three!

@PinkBuffalo

Actually maybe this will be the thread I can ask anonymously What does xoxo mean?

It's alternating kisses & hugs!

I think we can’t help ourselves because it’s a way to show we are being polite.

But it's not 'polite' at all, it's over-familiar, insincere and twee. And suggests you're confused by the correct placement of the full stop, so throw in random kisses to cover it up.

I dont use an x for strangers, like if I'm enquiring on fb marketplace or when commenting on fb posts. I use x for acquaintances. Xx for friends and family. Xxx for very good friends. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for DH 😂

Oh and I'm english.

I only use full stops at the end of what I'm saying in professional settings. I leave the full stop off if I'm not putting an x usually. Full stops seem too abrupt at the end of a text

I absolutely bloody hate xxx at the end of texts. Yet I find myself doing it anyway to be polite.

Dh and I never text each other with xx unless it's an occasional lovely dovey text.

My mother and I don't text with xx either again unless it's for a reason.

Yet I text it to other people because it feels polite! It's such a strange thing.

incrediblysadtoo
Thank you! I would never have got that spent so long thinking what does it mean

This is definitely my experience! I worked abroad in the US with lots of other foreigners too and my now best friend from Poland always takes the piss out of us Brits for the "x" at the end of messages. In Poland the thing to do is always sign off with xD, according to her!

I always sign off with x because I think it shows friendly intentions but I won't use it in a professional capacity.
Am I the only one who thinks it's slightly ironic that some posters find it twee and yet this is Mumsnet, home of the Dear Husband, Mother, Sister abbreviation which always puts me in mind of Edwardian gentlefolk😀.

I don't x on any messages not even to my husband, I don't kiss him every time I say something to him.

I've noticed it a few times at work on emails, also emojis, I think it's hugely unprofessional unless in a more personal email, eg a good friend and I work in different organisations but our paths sometimes cross professionally, she might send me a professional email and then below write a more personal message with an emoji in ok with that, but not when it's our newest administrative apprentice who I've never actually met

For me:

Work emails - Absolutely no
Texts to colleagues - Yes, if we are chatty at work
Friends, family and and DP - At least 2! I think just one might come across as frosty

@Winniewonka

I always sign off with x because I think it shows friendly intentions but I won't use it in a professional capacity. Am I the only one who thinks it's slightly ironic that some posters find it twee and yet this is Mumsnet, home of the Dear Husband, Mother, Sister abbreviation which always puts me in mind of Edwardian gentlefolk😀.

The DH, DD, DM etc is not just a MN thing. Why do people think this, haven't they ever used another forum? I've been on MSE for much longer than I have MN and it's used there and on others I'm on.

I don't ever use x unless I mean it genuinely for affection or sympathy and such things. My DH () and I have never done. I find it childish and I admit to thinking less of people who do it all the time.

If people think it's cold or unfriendly to not sign off with an x, then I'm afraid that's their problem.

Surely Mumsnet was the originator of the Dear Whomever abbreviation and other forums copied it. It's older than MSE.

It's a kiss, isn't it, so I would only put this if I was writing to DD or someone else I loved. And not on every message, more as a sign-off on the last message. In the same way that you would put kisses on a birthday card.

I find it ludicrous how some people put it at the end of every text or WhatsApp message - to anyone. It makes them look like fools.