I tend to use punctuation in text messages and on Twitter. I’ve EVEN had people make fun of me on twitter because of it. But, today I learned the true value of using punctation in these new short messages that we seem to be addicted to:
I lost my cleaning person today. She quit via text message due to a response I sent her via text. The problem was… she didn’t use punctuation in her original text… so I interpreted her message differently than it was intended. And then, she did the same to my response.
“Hi Jennifer – I feel terrible but my schedule is full next week because of thanksgiving would u mind if I come in the morning?”
My thought process was: I thought I was on your schedule for this week, not next. And didn’t you text me yesterday and say that you are today? Or am I losing my mind? So, I responded:
“You texted me yesterday and said you were coming today???”
Ok, so maybe I was excessive on the question marks. BUT, apparently she is sick, and meant to say:
“Hi Jennifer – I feel terrible. (implication: I can’t clean your house today I am sick) My schedule is full next week because of
thanksgiving. Would u mind if I come in the morning?”
One little period and my house would be clean tomorrow afternoon.
