Does Texting LOL Make You Look Insincere?
When you text “LOL,” how often are you REALLY laughing out loud? A new study found you might want to dial back your use of abbreviations like that. They can make you seem like a big PHONY. Who knew that texting these make you look insincere?
In the course of the day we probably use these common text messages at least once a day, so perhaps they are if nothing else, overused. So, are we really that bad or just too busy?
Researchers tracked text exchanges of more than 5,000 people, and found we’re seen as less sincere when we use shorthand phrases like “LOL” and “OMG.”
Take a look at what the researchers had to say
The researchers were surprised. They assumed most people were cool with those abbreviations, because they seem friendlier and less formal. But it turns out they can make people feel like you don’t really care.
If you want someone to know you really did find something funny, you’re better off using full words. Instead of “LOL,” say something like, “I’m cracking up.”
Context is important too, and it matters less if you already have a close relationship with the person. For example, using “LOL” with your best friend lands differently than using it with someone you just started dating.
99% of people in the study said they use abbreviations in their texts sometimes. So it’s something that pretty much everyone does now.
You probably should take this all with a grain of salt, because you know that there are times that we use LOL and OMG with lot’s of sincerity. The question you should ask yourself is; do I use these so often that they have lost their intending meaning?
After all, how many times do you really Laugh Out Loud? Most of the times we are merely chuckling and not guffawing, so in a way it can be insincere, but Oh My God, is it really such a big deal?