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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be put off by bad English?

58 replies

MrsSnape · 18/12/2008 12:43

I am giving online dating another go. Anyway, one man sent me a short message and he seemed ok. I replied with an equally short message and he then sent me a long email which to be honest, looked like it had been written by a 12 year old.

An example is:


yeah im good thanx just been sorting chritmas decs out and im knackered lol well wot you been upto what kind of bloke do you go for do you have much planned for weekend wot do you do for work lol look at me with all the questions well ill go now but hope you email back see you


It really put me off. Am I being a snob? I know my English is far from perfect by the way but I don't know why, this really made me not want to reply anymore.

I am aware I am being "Overly careful" this time due to bad past experiences but would this put anyone else off?

(please don't reply highlighting all the English and grammar mistakes in my message!)

OP posts:
brightongirldownunder · 18/12/2008 13:44

Is he a looker? He could be your bit of rough - you know, a David Beckham type. Just tell him to stay silent when you meet up.

moondog · 18/12/2008 13:46

OMFG
Run for the hillls Snape and don't look back.

Zebraa · 18/12/2008 13:46

Personally, I think it's quite shallow.

Perhaps he has a relaxed tone as he didn't realise he was being formally interviewed...

Anna8888 · 18/12/2008 13:47

MrsSnape - you are quite right to be put off by bad English. If it matters to you, use it as a criterion for selecting candidates.

We all have things we find repulsive and others we don't care about. There is nothing wrong with that.

elsiepiddock · 18/12/2008 13:48

It would put me right off!!

Notreallycutoutforthis · 18/12/2008 13:53

Zebraa - Isn't it the language equivalent though of turning up for a first date in filthy jeans and a sweaty t-shirt? He is being interviewed 'cos she's trying to work out whether or not he's worth expending some personal energy and time on.

Notreallycutoutforthis · 18/12/2008 13:54

BTW - YANBU Mrs Snape - did he actually have anything to say about himself (curious now )

LobstersLass · 18/12/2008 13:57

I wouldn't reply to a message like that. It would put me right off.

Grammaticus · 18/12/2008 13:58

YANBU, he writes like an idiot

LobstersLass · 18/12/2008 13:58

elsiepiddock, great minds...

CrushaGrape · 18/12/2008 13:59

YANBU - this really puts me off as well. There was a guy (an aspiring writer, no less) I dated briefly who used to email me in this manner, and I found it very unattractive. Even when he wrote cute or flirty sentiments, I couldn't help but read them in the same stilted construction in which he had written them. It was a definite passion killer.

MrsSnape · 18/12/2008 14:00

He mentioned a bit about his work but to be honest, the email was so difficult to read I just sort of scanned through it. He's also really keen to exchange phone numbers already and meet up etc.

OP posts:
glaskhamhasoneintheoven · 18/12/2008 14:01

It would definatley put me off!! I use words like wanna, gonna, defo.... but only on things like MSN to my sister, or where i feel i know the person very well.

crazyloon1 · 18/12/2008 14:03

He sounds really sweet.

Btw STOP the online dating. It is such a minefield! Try an evening class

crazyloon1 · 18/12/2008 14:05

sweet but actually a bit div, you are right

yanbu

But stop the online thing. You need to meet REAL people, it is so rare to find a decent bloke on a dating site.

VinegarTitsTheSeasonToBeJolly · 18/12/2008 14:06

I must admit, that would put me off, its barely readable, and text speak is a no no.

What puts me off is the word 'hun'

I was chatting with a guy the other day, he called me hun so i ended the converstaion then deleted him, I dont care if i am shallow, i just cant stand it.

MrsSnape · 18/12/2008 14:06

I do an evening karate class but all the blokes are married lol

OP posts:
brightongirldownunder · 18/12/2008 14:09

But MrsSnape, what does he look like?!!!! Shallow as hell, but its christmas..

Umlellala · 18/12/2008 14:10

How old are you? If under 25ish, I'd say, meet him anyway (my sister and her friends all write like this - it makes me shudder but they are university graduates ). Reply in proper English and see if he can write.

Mind you, I like a man who can write well, so I can understand how it would put you off. Would definitely put me off someone my age. And I do know what u mean about how using the odd abbrev. in a grammatical sentence seems different...

MrsSnape · 18/12/2008 14:13

I'm almost 28. He is decent looking, looks a bit rough around the edges which is usually the type I go for (can't be doing with clean shaven pretty boys!)

OP posts:
glaskhamhasoneintheoven · 18/12/2008 14:18

I'd say that if the language he used to have a chat with you, and get to know you put you off then thats a 'sign'... I'm 23 and haven't ever used language like he has done in his message to you!!

Although, if you like the sound of him still, and the look of him them maybe he was trying to 'play it cool' with what he may see as casual chat??

Umlellala · 18/12/2008 14:18

Oh, meet him! But say something jokey about how he needs some full-stops so you can catch your breath.

WorzselMincepieYummage · 18/12/2008 14:27

My spelling and grammar are pretty poor but there is no way in the world I could ever bring myself to date a man who can't even be bothered to write what properly.

dya kno wot i mean ?

AnarchyInAManger · 18/12/2008 14:33

Nah, it would put me off too.

Its just so naff.

And the use of 'lol' instead of punctuation is very annoying. If its not funny then why say 'lol'? Its not a bloody full stop, its an overused acronym.

DP lives miles away and we only see him every fortnight at the moment, but we email and tbh if he emailed like that I'd find it a real problem. Luckily he is very funny and articulate.

potoroo · 18/12/2008 14:39

I'm in two minds...
Short answer is that, yes, it would put me off. But DH is very well spoken, intelligent and polite, but for some reason his written English is just awful.

To be fair, he doesn't do text speak, but he mispells words or leaves them out or doesn't use punctuation properly. I think it is more from laziness...

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