Writing in forums, chats etc.

[ldcdc]

Some (including my girlfriend) think that I'm overpedantic. When posting in forums, and to some extent even during chats via MSN, Yahoo etc., I try and usually do make the extra effort to follow the rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Others don't care at all about these aspects, even if they could actually write correctly, they don't do so when they're online in the situations described above.

Which type are you and why?

[crislem]

That can be considered a good thing to some extent because it can show that you care about order, but your girlfriend is worried because she might think about the future and how you might want the house to sparckle all the time.

Seriously now, I am a person that cares about that and in the same time I don't. I'll explain now what I mean by that.

If I'm posting in a forum, I have the chance to read my post again before submitting it and so I do it. Of course, knowing the text and what I wanted to say in it "blocks" my eyes and I can't see all the errors. But I do that, I try to write correctly.

When I'm using a messenger service things change a little bit. This is because sometimes the conversation becomes agitated and I don't fully focus about what I type as long as I type and I make my point understood. It can also happen because of the fact that I sent one message and after I press Enter I realize it has a double meaning. I hurry up and explain what I wanted to say before the other person puts me on the ignore list.

But no, sometimes I just have the impression that I type everything right and even though everything is not 100% correct, it's not like I'm talking to a stranger so I leave it like that. I think it all comes to this, the relationship that is between me and the other person that I talk to. If it's a friend, it is okay if I spell "refrigerator" wrong, they know that I know how to say it so correcting it is only time consuming.

When I talk to my fiancee and I want to say how much I care about her, I try to make sure I spell everything right. I don't know why, but I pay attention when it comes to that.

I don't think you are weird for doing what you do, maybe I have a problem by doing things the way I do. Am I? Is your girlfriend the same way I am?

[ldcdc]

To a certain extent I am also less carefull when using IM or chats and sometimes I press the "Enter' key before I get to reread what I wrote.

I can't tell you how my girlfriend uses forums though, because I don't think she's a member of any. However, when using IM she tends to keep her eyes on the keyboard and look at the monitor only after pressing Enter.

Now, IM discussions and some forums are often of a more personal nature, so I can understand the less strict self correcting habits.

In some forums however, where one represents the company he/she is working for, I see this "posting without correcting" habit as a rather serious issue. Each post is a mark, an image of the company, and in a way says "this is what we're made of", this is how we answer to our clients' questions, this is how much we know about this subject.

After all, if all other things would be equal, would you prefer a company (hosting company for this board) that writes correctly, or one that makes mistakes when writing in a forum?

[crislem]

After all, if all other things would be equal, would you prefer a company (hosting company or this board) that writes correctly, or one that makes mistakes when writing in a forum?

Of course the answer would be, naturally I think, the one that writes with no or very few mistakes. Just like clothing, the way you write on a forum can send a message.

That is why I said it all depends on who you're talking to, because "at home", with your family and friends you can "dress casually". On the other hand, when you are on a forum you are "on the street" and you interact with both people that you know and people that you don't know. The only thing that can talk for or against you in a forum is the way you talk and write, so...

This makes me think of another thread in here "We apologize..." in which was discussed the importance some companies give to time. I think some ignore the importance of correctness or politeness as long as the answer is provided and a potential problem is solved.

I hope I didn't make any mistakes in this thread.

[ldcdc]

I hope I didn't make any mistakes in this thread.

That's usually what happens in threads discussing spelling. Everybody is extra careful not to make mistakes.

I wonder, do you find yourself making judgements regarding the "value" of a forum member based on the way the post? I'm not talking about buying something from them. I'm talking about trusting their advice more or finding yourself admiring them more.

[crislem]

I wonder, do you find yourself making judgements regarding the "value" of a forum member based on the way the post?

I think I'm doing that, yes. But not because I'm looking for it and I read focused on finding mistakes. I don't do that. I even tend to find the following excuse for some people. They are not all speaking English as their first language and the lack of proper grammar doesn't necessarily mean they don't know how to do their job. But, this is the world we all live in and who wants to be successful should try and make every aspect about them and their business look perfect (or close to that).

We are humans, we make mistakes, but "in order to be successful, one must project an image of success at all times" (from American Beauty) or at least try to.

Besides the companies (or their employees) too busy to do a spell check, what I noticed is the fact that those who just started a business are the ones who make most mistakes. They usually "grow"/"develop" along with their business.

But what I think is that a good idea or suggestion is always good and welcomed, no matter the way it is being said. If it represents a step forward, it is great that it is being said.

[ldcdc]

But what I think is that a good idea or suggestion is always good and welcomed, no matter the way it is being said. If it represents a step forward, it is great that it is being said.

True, but what about simple opinions? Do you find yourself valueing the opinions of people differently based on their attention to spelling?

[crislem]

Do you find yourself valueing the opinions of people differently based on their attention to spelling?

Hoping that I understood your question, I accept all opinions no matter how they are said to me. If somebody makes mistakes because he simply doesn't know English, I am more forgiving. If the the mistakes come just because the person didn't care how the final "product" looks like, I give a bad grade in my mind (but I can't say I value that opinion less).

If I am to choose between two companies' services, then I do care about that kind of thing because I consider it to be a reflection of how they do their job in general. I might be wrong, I know, but...

Again, I hope I got your question right.