Posting advice: "I can't do this, ...I don't understand you"

[cmonkey]

I saw a post asking why no one responded to the OP's other posts and it got me thinking. I should point out that this has NOTHING to do with her(?) posts other than it started the gears turning, but when I see a post written in txt, I shut it down and move on. If I see a post with a paragraph-and-a-half and no punctuation in it, I move on. If English is your second language, of course people will make allowances. But if you were raised with it, I make none.

I know it's expedient to use shortcuts. I know we're used to it because of the texting we do. That does not make it okay here. I got wall post on Facebook from an old boyfriend and I couldn't even read it because he refuses to spell things correctly. (Really, that's the only reason. )

If you want help, if you want to be taken seriously, IF YOU WANT GOOD GRADES, start using standard English. Please. Use proper grammar. Use punctuation, even if you're not sure if you're using the right ones. TRY. You can txt all you want in your off-time, but here, and at school or work, you need to communicate in a way that other people understand without having to translate. You will have to write papers in class. You will do a LOT of writing. If it's unintelligible, your grade will reflect that. It's in your own best interest, honestly.

Best of luck to you all. I hope you get accepted and shine in your programs,

cmonkey

[leslie :-D]

I also hate when people are too lazy to use punctuation marks or capital letters. Again, it makes their posts almost impossible to read.

are you certain it's laziness?

i personally do not capitalize, i think, it's r/t the shift key interrupting my 'flow', so to speak.

either way, it's your call as to what posts you choose to read, or not.

as to the chronic texters...

i don't necessarily see it as an inability to use proper english, but maybe it's r/t age?

that the very young, are those who tend to do this?

now, if i saw this on the job, i'd really raise an eyebrow, but on a bb?

not so much.

leslie

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

No, I don't know.

Sorry, I have to fully agree with the OP. While I do not expect perfect grammar and punctuation, I do expect reasonably understandable English.

I do not text. I do not accept text messages. And my child does not text. If it is that important, it rates being fully/clearly communicated.

And when I see people using texting, or poor/lazy communication habits on this BB, especially when complaining about "mean nurse directors/fellow nurses/human resource personnel/teachers" that are so hard on them, I automatically click off. If one does not have the common courtesy of communicating like a professional, I see very little need to answer a professional question or waste bandwidth on giving professional advice.

I used to be more relaxed and answer everything politely and professionally. But over the years, I have learned that the posters that communicate poorly or use meaningless phrases/slang, are generally the least appreciative of good advice and more of drain on the regular posters. Thus, I avoid those posters until they improve their communication.

YA KNOW!?!?!

Ok, what is "BB". If you want to get technical, then why are YOU using shortcuts? I seriously do NOT know what 'bb" is....

yes I said "ya know", geez. If Im gonna get slammed for every little typo or shortcut on here, then I will just not come on here anymore. This is rediculous. "ya know" is simple to understand, not too hard. I spend all day making sure I write/type everything correctly, but on here I thought I could be myself. I used to LOVE this site, but lately its becoming childish. If you dont like shortcuts, then dont use them yourself.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

BB=Bulletin Board, if I'm not mistaken.

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

BB=Bulletin Board, if I'm not mistaken.

Thank you. I had no clue.

[cmonkey]

I agree, but whew, it feels good to be on here and not worry about "killing someone". ya know?

Absolutely, and I don't think anyone would disagree with you at all. The thing that gets me, though, is that people are often here for advice about their jobs. If you can't be bothered to communicate effectively and clearly here, it indicates to me, at least, that you don't do so at work, either. And that dot or period *can* kill someone. So it's important to use them correctly all the time, otherwise it's all too easy to use them incorrectly when it's critical not to.

Does that make sense? Text when it's time to text. Write when it's time to write. That's all I'm saying.

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

However I do agree that we all need to type so that we all can understand, but if everyone is gonna (going to) slam every little typo, lack of comma, etc, then this place will not be very pleasant. It WAS nice to come on here and relax, not worry if I spell everything correctly, use EXACT grammar, and cater to the grammar police. Actually, I find it funny that some people are so picky and are lacking the ability to loosen up a bit.

[CuriousMe]

Ok, what is "BB". If you want to get technical, then why are YOU using shortcuts? I seriously do NOT know what 'bb" is....

yes I said "ya know", geez. If Im gonna get slammed for every little typo or shortcut on here, then I will just not come on here anymore. This is rediculous. "ya know" is simple to understand, not too hard. I spend all day making sure I write/type everything correctly, but on here I thought I could be myself. I used to LOVE this site, but lately its becoming childish. If you dont like shortcuts, then dont use them yourself.

What is appropriate is contextual. Text speak is appropriate when texting. Using abbreviations on a bulletin board (like All Nurses) that are common to bulletin boards (like BB) is also appropriate.

The thing to remember is that when writing (typing), you're writing to be understood. If there's feedback that says a style of writing makes it more difficult to understand (like texting abbreviations), then it shows a lack of respect to continue to post that way.

It's not about trying to not let you "be yourself," it's about posting in a way that is understood by the reader.

Whether you stay here is your choice of course......but if you're writing to contribute to the conversation, doesn't it make sense to write in a way that is actually easily understood?

[clemmm78, RN]

I can handle some spelling and grammar errors, but "u" instead of "you" and "4" instead of "four," drive me batty. But, the worst - and I absolutely will not take the time to try to read them, are the long posts without paragraph breaks.

Come on folks, how hard is it to hit the space bar button twice to make a paragraph break?

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

However I do agree that we all need to type so that we all can understand, but if everyone is gonna (going to) slam every little typo, lack of comma, etc, then this place will not be very pleasant. It WAS nice to come on here and relax, not worry if I spell everything correctly, use EXACT grammar, and cater to the grammar police. Actually, I find it funny that some people are so picky and are lacking the ability to loosen up a bit.

And if you read my post, you will note that I am not requesting EXACT grammar or catering to the grammar police or spelling everything correctly.

There is a big difference between an occasional abbreviation, a random misspelled word, and a few dropped commas...and a post that runs on forever, no correct punctuation anywhere is sight and continued texting. Especially when the same posters are then complaining that no one answers their posts, or that they cannot get a job. That their teachers grade them down "unfairly", and that HR never calls.

And you pointing out my BB, should make the point that sometimes writing it out is necessary.

SRSLY!!!!

The other point is that we develop careless or good habits over time and by use. The children that grew up with my daughter, that used slang, and text...it shows in their professional prospects. many of them are waiting tables or ringing cash registers. I pushed my daughter to use "good English" - no "seriouslys", no "Ya knows", no "kindas", no answering questions with "What?", phrases that I used to use, also.

She thanks me for it now. It has allowed her to advance in her career and life prospects.

I also have to watch my "you alls" or "y'alls" or "purty" at work. Because I have found that I may be a very smart nurse, but if I use those words at work, I am classed as poorly educated. Plus, it is difficult for many of the foreign educated health care workers to understand me. I use proper English, but still with a drawl.

[Lucky0220]

However I do agree that we all need to type so that we all can understand, but if everyone is gonna (going to) slam every little typo, lack of comma, etc, then this place will not be very pleasant. It WAS nice to come on here and relax, not worry if I spell everything correctly, use EXACT grammar, and cater to the grammar police. Actually, I find it funny that some people are so picky and are lacking the ability to loosen up a bit.

I don't think it is a matter of being able to relax or loosening up on a bulletin board. Call me a proud member of the grammar and spelling police force, because I believe that it shouldn't be "such an effort" to type and spell correctly. it should come to one who was brought up with English as their first language, naturally.

If it is a matter of ignorance of correct grammar and correct spelling, take some time to learn how to spell words correctly......it's not that hard. The internet has so much information on spelling and grammar, that one could possibly improve with just a little effort.

Keep in mind, this does reflect on how you are perceived by others, especially when in school or looking for employment.

[cmonkey]

However I do agree that we all need to type so that we all can understand, but if everyone is gonna (going to) slam every little typo, lack of comma, etc, then this place will not be very pleasant. It WAS nice to come on here and relax, not worry if I spell everything correctly, use EXACT grammar, and cater to the grammar police. Actually, I find it funny that some people are so picky and are lacking the ability to loosen up a bit.

Okay, since I think I was the first person to use "taint" as a noun on this board, I know you can't mean I'm one of the people who are unable to loosen up. And I don't mean that people need to run their posts by the New Yorker editing board. I just mean that people should at least use punctuation and basic English syntax. If someone comes here asking a question about, I don't know, boils, they should be able to string together a coherent sentence. That isn't too much to ask. It really isn't. I'm talking about junior high English here, not dissertation-level discourse (although I find that enlightening, too).

And for what it's worth, I was NOT "slamming" people. If I were, I wouldn't have been nice in my post, which I think I was. I can slam with the best of them, and that's not what I was doing. I was expressing my frustration with people who either don't know how or can't be bothered to communicate on a basic level. I don't think that's picky.

But whatever, my point is: readers shouldn't have to try and translate txt, add their own punctuation to a 250-word question, or have a dictionary on hand to try and decipher posts.

[cmonkey]

Check your grammar before you slam on others for using PROPER english. There are a ton of errors in your statement.... However, I understand your point and agree with it. Make sure and note that there are quite a few foreign nurses that post on here from other countries and most likely are doing there best to translate, if not using a computer translation program.... I dont really care or typically comment on bad grammar though....

Actually, my grammar is fine. You may take issue with the syntax, but since I'm not writing for a class or publication, it's perfectly acceptable. I also don't believe I slammed anyone, since I was not picking anyone out in particular, calling them names, or implying they were somehow mentally deficient.

I did mention foreign students, right up there in the first paragraph. Really, it's right there.