Maybe I'm alone in my thinking (it sure seems that way sometimes), but I find the use of text speak/SMS language utterly annoying and unprofessional. It seems as though its use is becoming more and more prevalent and in situations that are totally inappropriate, in my opinion.
I may just be old-school (although I am relatively young), but using slang is just a no-no at work! Now, I understand there is a place for abbreviations in the healthcare field, but some things I have seen other nurses enter in a pt's chart (a LEGAL document, mind you) left me just shaking my head.
Our unit manager will sometimes text me on my days off if they are short: can u come in, we r short at 6. Seriously, you are the manager! Shouldn't you try to be professional?!?
Maybe I'm just overreacting :). I just tend to see it as the person makes themself look unintelligent when they communicate this way. I get it....it's faster, it's become acceptable and it's trendy, but it's just not for me.
Am I alone or does anyone agree/understand? Would love to hear what you all think!
Text speak has its place - in texts and IM. Even though phone keyboards are better now than the old T9's, it is still a pain to type on a teeny phone. I use text speak in my texts to friends. In forums, emails, and discussions, I expect standard writing. It is really hard for me to take someone seriously as a professional if they cannot bother to use proper grammar, punctuation, or spelling.
I agree. When it comes to professional documents, I think text speak should not become the norm. It's similar to writing an essay in school. Even though pretty much everyone knows what "u" and "idk" stand for, it does not mean you should include that in your paper. Plus, maybe not everyone does know text speak (there are still some people who refuse to participate in the modern texting world), so it can't be assumed that everyone would know what you wrote. It really irks me when people don't use proper grammar or spelling when it comes to papers and official documents.
I won't respond to my kids texts when they send "txt spk" messages, they've finally learned =) I really hate the way it's a violation of TOS here, yet, professionals that we are, some insist on slipping it into posts here. I don't think proper grammar is too much to expect of anyone!
Some of our phones are still not text friendly. I care passionately about language; my first career was in publishing.
But I have a work-issued phone that requires you to punch the 7 button 4 times to get the letter "s." This is why text speak was invented, and it was a useful innovation.
And all you intransigent moms who insist on complete sentences from the kids: that's perfectly good parenting. But trust me, the day will come when you will be so pleased to hear from your (adult) kids that you won't even notice the text speak.
Does anyone other then me regard this as judgmental? After having it drilled into us repeatedly about being tolerant of patients cultural and other differing values--why is that courtesy not applicable to coworkers? I agree txt terminology does often convey a negative impression, however I would never presume to correct someone else's communication style.
How is not being a "fan" of textspeak judgmental? As I said before, I don't care if a text is written in textspeak, even if it is a text from the boss. However, in everyday language and especially in a chart, textspeak is just not appropriate. It has nothing do to with culture. I find it an invalid comparison to put religious beliefs, cultural food preferences, and sexual orientation on the same level as something insignificant as someone's choice to use textspeak.
Some of our phones are still not text friendly. I care passionately about language; my first career was in publishing.
But I have a work-issued phone that requires you to punch the 7 button 4 times to get the letter "s." This is why text speak was invented, and it was a useful innovation.
And all you intransigent moms who insist on complete sentences from the kids: that's perfectly good parenting. But trust me, the day will come when you will be so pleased to hear from your (adult) kids that you won't even notice the text speak.
Benedina
When will that day come, just so I'm prepared. I'm in my mid 40's, my older kids are 23 and 20. All 3 generations call and text on a daily basis. What may be your experience within your own family is not an indicator of how all families function.
I do a face palm when I see misspellings and grammatical errors in patient charts. I can't imagine seeing slang! I haven't seen that, but then, I'm new at this. :)
My mother-in-law tends to over-abbreviate her texts, and we can never decipher them! Cn u cm vr 2 fx fn? HUH???
Meh. Sounds like a personal preference. Just keep in mind that something being personal is just for you and shouldn't have to apply for anyone else.
While I get what you are saying, if you are representing yourself professionally, you should at least take the time to spell properly. Text speak between professionals feels to me the same way that showing up to work dressed like a hooker (male or female) would. If you prefer to speak in text speak for written professional communication, I promise you that you are being judged.
About 6 months ago I created a topic entitled "Cringe worthy thank you note.". Note was something like: "hi chicagorn this is jim and i wanted u to know i am interested in the job." This was from a recent college graduate. I was not impressed, and he did not get the job.
Exactly!! I'm guessing most hiring personnel would agree with you. An applicant who takes the time to use proper language, etc. would have an edge over someone who represents themselves poorly via their written communication to a prospective employer.
A friend of mine is a manager of a retail place and got an application with stuff hashtagged in it.
Okay I just read page two. I'm going to "man-up" (I hate that term) and say that I'm judgmental about grammar. I am. I own it. I'm also a bit adjustable in this. If you have a 6th grade education living in the hills of some backwoods country, I'm going to expect your grammar to be lacking a little and be gently impressed when it's not. If you have a degree that has required basic English and literature courses and you can take the time to spell out a whole word, I'm going to judge your writing. I'm going to wonder why you can't bother making your written words readable by someone who may not understand text speak. I'm going to wonder why you think it's appropriate to make other people sit there and spend five minutes trying to translate that garbage. I'm moderately young - was early 20s when I started texting on the phones with limited characters and pressing the 7 four times to get an S. I never did understand how to use T9. If you misspell a word here and there, I'm not going to think twice. Heck, I probably misspelled words in this rant. But FOR THE LOVE OF CHEESE don't text speak! It is unprofessional, overly casual with people who may not appreciate that, it makes what you are saying harder to read, and it makes you look less intelligent. It just does. Then again, that's my judgement and I own it.
You know what else has been on my mind? ADVERBS! What is this war against adverbs?!?!?
Thanks everyone for all the great points of view. It's nice to know I'm not the only one with this pet peeve! :) My husband is one of the biggest offenders I know and I give him (playful) grief over it all the time!
VivaLaVespaGirl, BSN, MSN
255 Posts
Text speak has its place - in texts and IM. Even though phone keyboards are better now than the old T9's, it is still a pain to type on a teeny phone. I use text speak in my texts to friends. In forums, emails, and discussions, I expect standard writing. It is really hard for me to take someone seriously as a professional if they cannot bother to use proper grammar, punctuation, or spelling.