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Click with Kindness
Essential Tips for Graceful Online Conversations
Not long ago, my neighbor Earl asked me how to reply to a message on Facebook without sounding grumpy. You know, like he was upset, even though he really wasn’t.
That question got me thinking: the internet can feel like the Wild West, but some basic digital manners could save us all a lot of trouble. So, let’s talk about how we can communicate nicely online and make the internet a better place.
Watch Your Tone (It’s Tricky, Folks)
Talking online is a bit like trying to smile through a wall. The other person can’t see your face or hear your friendly voice.
You might type, “Sure, that’s fine,” but the other person might read it as, “Sure, that’s fiiiiine,” dripping with sarcasm.
One way I fix this is by adding a little warmth — maybe a smiley face or an exclamation point. Just don’t overdo it.
For example, using five exclamation points or adding a smiley after every sentence can make your message feel overwhelming or insincere.
There’s a difference between sounding happy and sounding like you’ve had way too much sugar.
Emojis are helpful. They can make a serious message sound more friendly. A simple 🙂 can…
