Looking for love online and thought you could get away with spelling errors? Then you’d better mind your writing style. A research done by the Queensland University of Technology, Australia, says that spelling errors, wrong grammar and use of too many exclamation marks can be a major put off for some.
If your writing style is not impressive enough, you face the threat of easily being dismissed by those looking for a potential partner.
Ask 20-year-old design student Samaira Singhal, who says she judges the date-worthiness of a guy while chatting within the first few minutes. “If he goes on messing up his grammar, or uses wrong spellings, I know he is not dating material. Typos are pardonable to some extent but not messing up your language.” Stylist Dolly Gupta too hates conversing online with someone who has a pathetic writing style.
“That’s the very first parameter of judging a person. It’s not as if you have to display your brilliance, but some basic etiquette is a must. If a guy can’t spell words rightly, or goes on typing in capital letters, I know he will bore me after a while.” People are also judged on the online names they use. Names like ‘rock star’, ‘dashing guy’ and ‘loner dude’ can be disappointing too. “I would rather go for a ‘Vikram Ahuja’ than chat with a ‘hot hunk’. I can’t take such people seriously,” says Guha. Psychiatrist Samir Parikh has a different take on the topic, though. “It’s unfair to judge someone on the basis on his language skills. Communication goes beyond grammar. People are giving too much importance to their online life and expect the same from others.”
Hone Your Net-etiquette
1. Choose your words carefully. Avoid using phrases, such as, ‘hi baby’, ‘hey sweetie’ or ‘hello sweetheart’ unless you want the girl to block you forever.
2. Slangs are a strict no-no while dating online, unless of course you want to be tagged as a rude, ill-mannered person.
3. Try to be precise and steer clear from repeating words. Repetitions bore the person.
4. While chatting with someone for the first time, do not ask too many personal questions.
5. Don’t keep sending fun mails or social messages to someone you are dating. It may be great for you, but not for everyone.
6. Using capital letters is like screaming in someone’s ear. Avoid it.
