The Unwinnable Battle Between The Period. And The Exclamation!

No matter what I choose, I regret it. It’s the punctuation wars.

Messaging Anxiety 2: Electric Bugaloo

If there’s another downside to communication through text, as opposed to verbal communication, it’d be the complete lack of non-verbal cues and intonation.

I have to rely on other methods of communicating tone. But there’s just no way to do it subtly. It’s either all or nothing.

I opt for either no punctuation at all, or a plain old period. But it’s not like I want to do things like that, it’s just the least egregious out of all the choices.

Whenever I’m doing some serious business, that will be my go-to. But even then, it’s a prolonged internal struggle.

“Hello. I’ve been working on this issue and wanted to get your feedback on whether this solution could work. Please let me know what you think.”

Clear and straight to the point. But when I think of sending this message, I can’t help but feel like I’m coming off like this instead…

(▀̿Ĺ̯▀̿ ̿) Hello.

I worked on this thing.

Hurry up and let me know.

Okay? You do that.

…

( -_-)

Oh, great. Now everyone thinks I’m an emotionless killjoy. Would it kill me to put in some polite energy? So I’d add some exclamation marks.

“Hello! Hope you are doing well! I’ve been working on this issue and wanted to get your feedback on whether this solution could work. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!”

With this, it’s the polar opposite. Now I feel like I’m talking like some character in a kid’s show who always promotes positivity to the point of delusion. (Never cry! Only happy thoughts!)

ʕ ◕ᴥ◕ ʔ Hello!!!

How are you? (=^ ◡ ^=)

໒(＾ᴥ＾)७ Can you please let me know what your thoughts are?

Oh, but don’t rush or anything, there’s no worries! Any time is fine! ▼・ᴥ・▼

THAAAANK YOOOOOOOOOOOOU

No. This is way too cheesy for a business setting. Get those exclamation marks out of my face.

As mentioned, I’ve used messages without punctuation entirely. I thought it’d work well with one-liners. If I don’t want to sound too blunt or overexcited, it could definitely be a good choice.

“Hello, hope you’re doing well

I’ve been working on this issue and wanted to get your feedback on whether this solution could work”

Wonderful. Now it sounds like I don’t care about the conversation enough to even end my sentences. That or I’m high off my rocker.

Hey… like… what’s up… ( ´ー`)

Could you like, look at this issue I did… or whatever…

(○´―` ) *cough cough* *puff*

Yeah, lemme know when you’re finished… (¬_¬)

Dang it. None of this looks right. How many more punctuation marks are left? It’s been like 15 minutes, and I’ve exhausted most of my options.

What can I do now — squiggly lines?

“~~Hello, hope you’re doing well.

I’ve been working on this issue and wanted to get your feedback on whether this solution could work.

Let me know what you think. ~~”

HellooOooOoooOooo…·˚ ༘🎃˚.*°࿐ 。

PleeeEeeaSse look at thiiiIIiiS —

No. No way. Not doing that. Why is this so difficult?

Okay. I need to stop. I’ve been through this before. Go with using periods. No one is going to judge me for using correct punctuation.

Just finish the message, click send, and get it over with. This should not be as difficult as I’m making it out to be.

3…2…1… annnnnnddddddddd……….

…ddddddddd….

…Let me check one more time.

…

Okay.

*click*.

There. It’s over. There’s nothing left to worry about. No one cares about something as insignificant as a choice of punctuation.

…

Nope, I still feel like a complete tool.

WHY AM I LIKE THIS

My heart rate increases again. I’m just waiting for the moment I’m ridiculed for being so unprofessional in my communication and…

One new direct message from [NAME]

“okay. sounds good.”

…

(How do they communicate so well?)