Many years ago (in 2012 to be exact), I wrote a blog about the dumb things people say. Like “I’ll let you go now.”  (Nope. YOU want to go. You’re not letting me do anything.)

“To be honest with you.”  (Really? Because every other thing you’ve said is a lie?)

“Back in the day.” (What day? What year? What era? When the heck are you talking about?)

Okay, so I am a word girl and probably pay attention more than most. Which now, all these years later, brings me to texting and emoticons. Because we all acknowledge it is challenging to convey subtle emotion in a quick text, so we use emoticons to aid the process. If we can’t say it succinctly, we hope a little picture will help.

And quite often it does.

However … I have recently decided that the thumbs-up thingy can be incongruous. A tiddly bit double-edged. And ultimately a lot bit dismissive.

Look at it this way: if someone needs logistics from you and you provide them and they give you a thumbs up, it works. It makes sense. Got it, thank you, conversation ended.

But … if you’re having an actual dialogue, discussing ideas or philosophies or viewpoints or anything of substance, and the other person gives you a thumbs up, it can (and probably will) end that chat instantly. Sure, it’s an agreement (maybe) but more likely the responder is just done with the topic.

Perhaps they are busy? I get that. But why are we so addicted to the need to reply quickly? Especially if the conversation is esoteric in nature? Is there an emoticon for “more later”? Or could we just say, “Gotta run … to be continued.”  Maybe we type, “I totally agree with you.”

Or maybe we could just leave it until we have more opportunity?

But we can’t. Because we are now so accustomed to rapid-response, we feel it is our duty to type something. Emoticons are fast and easy. So are things like Thnx, NP and TTYL.

I recently read that Dolly Parton refuses to text. Anyone. Period. Because she does not want to succumb to this new “obligation” to respond in good time. “Good” time in someone else’s definition. But the fact is “good” time is YOUR time. Your choice. Your discretion. At least it should be. But these days, it doesn’t matter. The obligation is assumed.

Well … isn’t this a whole new can of worms? First we invent texting and then we invent emoticons to help us text and now Vickie says, “Be careful how you use those damn things because you might screw up and offend even further?”

I guess I’m just overly sensitive. Or old. Longing for the days of sitting on the floor, telephone cord wrapped around my hand, prattling for hours without worrying about interpretation. Or simply not answering because I am busy (or call display has been my friend).

Don’t get me wrong … I adore the usefulness of modern technology. It also befuddles me more often than it should.

Maybe just think twice before thumbing up. No doubt there are more like me out there. And quite possibly there is a more consciously delicate way to say …

Over and out.