Does anyone else notice that the way they text/write is different than when they are having an actual conversation? When I'm texting someone I automatically use lots of exclamation points and smiley faces because it seems a whole lot friendlier. Talking face-to-face with people, is totally different. I'm more shy in person than behind a screen. Talking to strangers is especially different for me online vs. offline. It's not on purpose, but it just seems to happen that way. Does anyone else notice the way they "speak" is different depending on what method of communication is used?
Those are two very different ways of communicating. People use smileys when texting because it is a way to convey things that you can't do in writing. You can't see someone smiling, so people write a smiley. You can't hear tone to understand if they are joking or being serious, so 'lol' is written after a joke to let the person know for sure you are joking.
Feeling more shy when talking face to face is completely normal. When you are texting, you can think for as long as you want about what you want to say and can correct anything you write before sending it. There is less pressure. Most people act and talk differently online and in real life. It isn't on purpose. It is normal.
Those are some excellent points you've made. I think the tone is the biggest problem when communicating through writing. So many people seem to get hurt when the sender of a message doesn't make the tone light-hearted. It can be frustrating, but that's the price to pay for technology.
It's nice to know that I am not alone in the online vs. offline personality battle, haha. The problem with online usernames and no face to face interaction is that is gives people the ability to be so cruel to each other. I don't even read comments on news articles or Youtube videos anymore.