How to Decipher Text Messages

By Tracey Dowdy
Recently, Dr. Tchiki Davis wrote an excellent article to help answer a question we’ve all asked ourselves at one time or another after reading a text; “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I’m not talking about decoding an acronym like “btw” or “ttyl,” I’m talking about deciphering the emotion behind a text. Personally, I’ve wished for years developers would create a universal sarcasm font – someone get on that – but in the meantime, we have to depend on context clues, like the number of exclamation points or any emoji’s that have been included. But, what happens if it’s just text – no punctuation or smiling faces? Dr. Davis offers these helpful tips for interpreting text messages.
Assume good intentions. Sometimes, when the meaning is unclear, we assume the worst. Because we live in a world where we feel busier than ever but are somehow more accessible than in the past, a quick, “Be there ASAP,” or an “OK,” can seem abrupt or even passive aggressive. Don’t be tempted to assume either of these. Instead, suggests Dr. Davis, “If the text doesn’t say, ‘I’m angry,’ then don’t assume that the texter is angry. We are better off reading texts with the assumption that the texter has good intentions.”
Cultivate awareness of unconsciousbiases. In her research, Dr. Davis has taught teams of “emotion coders.” Through her work, she has enabled individuals on these teams to become self-aware and recognize personal bias. No matter how objective we try to be, like it or not, we bring our emotional baggage and experience into our interactions with others. By being conscious of your own bias, you can save yourself the misery of misinterpreting an innocent message.
Explore the emotional undertones of the words themselves. Some words have clear emotional connotations – love, hate, cute, precious, disgusting, wretched – you know the emotion behind each of these words. However, if emotionally weighted words from opposite ends of the spectrum are combined in a single sentence, using the “bag of words” method may help uncover the meaning. Simply examine each of the words individually and weigh the number of positive emotive words against the number of negative to uncover the primary emotion being expressed.
Don’t assume you know how a person feels. “The emotions that emerge in a given context are highly dependent on our unique perspectives and experiences; this makes it very difficult for us to guess how someone else is feeling,” says Dr. Davis. Think of it this way. My brother-in-law Ken runs marathons. He’s incredibly fit and truly enjoys running. I, on the other hand, only work out so I can run faster than the zombies when the apocalypse hit. I don’t enjoy the experience at all. For him, exercise releases endorphins – for me, my inner honey badger. Davis cautions, “Always ask yourself: are you drawing conclusions based on emotional information provided by the other person or are you making assumptions based solely on how you would feel in the same situation?”
Explore your theory of emotion. We all have ideas of where our feelings originate from and how connected they are to each other. For example, anger is generally the response to three perceptions: fear, frustration, or hurt. Understanding this, we can see that anger is rarely a singular emotion. If in the text you recognize someone is angry, they’re likely also experiencing these other emotions as well, which can help you form your response.
Seek out more information. If all else fails, you’ve searched for context clues, used the “bag of words” method, examined your personal bias and yet you’re still not sure of the meaning, do yourself a favor and ask for clarification. Perhaps the text was abrupt because the sender was about to lose service or they’re stepping in to a meeting. Or maybe, the message is short because they’re stressed for reasons completely unrelated to you and your relationship. Says Dr. Davis, “The bottom line is that you should try to avoid guessing. You need to ask questions, be empathetic, and try to see the world through the other person’s point of view.”
Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.
Hello, always i used to check webpage posts here
early in the dawn, for the reason that i like to find out more and more.
Regards for this wondrous post, I am glad
I observed this web site on yahoo.
Here is my page … how to give a man head
Excellent blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any forums that cover the
same topics talked about in this article? I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get comments
from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Many thanks!
Check out my homepage; cannabis seeds starts
After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I
receive four emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove
me from that service? Many thanks!
Also visit my blog :: http://www.a913.vip
Some really interesting info, well written and generally user friendly.
Feel free to visit my web site :: sciatic nerve reliefsciatic treatment
hey there and thank you for your information – I’ve
definitely picked up something new from right here.
I did however expertise some technical points using this web site, since
I experienced to reload the website lots of times previous to I
could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK?
Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances
times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
Well I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more
of your respective interesting content. Ensure
that you update this again very soon..
my homepage; teens smoking
Thanks a ton for being our instructor on this subject.
I enjoyed your article quite definitely and most of all enjoyed
reading how you handled the aspect I considered to be controversial.
You are always incredibly kind towards readers much like me and
aid me in my everyday living. Thank you.
Also visit my web site http://www.fles.hlc.edu.tw/
Hurrah, that’s what I was exploring for, what a information! existing here at this website, thanks admin of this website.
Feel free to surf to my website … bad skin
Thanks for some other informative site. The place else may I am getting that kind of information written in such a perfect approach?
I have a venture that I am simply now operating on, and I have
been on the look out for such information.
My blog; drug rehab centres
Hello, this weekend is fastidious for me, because this occasion i am reading this impressive educational
piece of writing here at my residence.
My homepage … http://www.meteoritegarden.com/userinfo.php?uid=3095809
Hi I am so thrilled I found your web site, I really found you by mistake,
while I was researching on Digg for something else, Nonetheless
I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a remarkable post and a all round exciting blog (I
also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it
all at the minute but I have book-marked
it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time
I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the excellent
work.
Feel free to visit my page – lose weight quickly
Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News.
Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Cheers
Feel free to surf to my site: personal cannabis seeds
Hi i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this post i thought i could also create comment due to this sensible paragraph.
Here is my web-site; low carbohydrate
Aw, this was a very nice post. Spending some time and
actual effort to make a superb article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot
and never manage to get nearly anything done.
It’s remarkable designed for me to have a web page, which is helpful for my know-how.
thanks admin
Feel free to surf to my webpage: fish oil
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following.
unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield
this hike.
I was looking through some of your articles on this site and I conceive this site
is real instructive! Keep on posting.
Feel free to surf to my homepage forum.m2clasic.ro
I am really happy to glance at this weblog posts which contains lots of helpful
information, thanks for providing these kinds of statistics.
Have a look at my web blog: ketosis diet
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our
community. Your web site offered us with helpful info to work on. You have performed a formidable
process and our whole community will likely be
thankful to you.
Feel free to visit my blog – facial skin care tips
Whoah this blog is fantastic i love reading your articles.
Keep up the good paintings! You understand, many people are hunting round for this
info, you can aid them greatly.
my page daily skin care
Thanks for the good writeup. It in reality was once a amusement account it.
Look complicated to more introduced agreeable from you!
However, how can we communicate?
Feel free to visit my blog; healthy eating plan
Hey I am so delighted I found your webpage, I really found you
by error, while I was browsing on Google for something else, Anyhow I am here
now and would just like to say thank you for a fantastic post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don?t have time to look over it all at the minute but I
have saved it and also included your RSS feeds,
so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the
fantastic jo.
my web blog: low carbohydrate dieting
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I in finding It truly useful & it helped me out much.
I am hoping to offer one thing again and help others such
as you aided me.
Also visit my web site – anti aging (Maggie)
Hey! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate!
He always kept talking about this. I will forward this write-up to him.
Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Here is my site: sex tips (http://www.meteoritegarden.com/userinfo.php?uid=3080120)
You have brought up a very wonderful details, regards for
the post.
my web blog … sexual foreplays
Hi there, I believe your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however,
when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Aside from that, excellent site!
my web-site – lymelightwebs.net
hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly picked up
something new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this web site, as I experienced
to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could
get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your high quality score if
advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for
a lot more of your respective interesting content. Make sure you
update this again soon..
My web site … diet lacking
Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was
wondering your situation; many of us have developed some nice
practices and we are looking to trade methods with others, be sure
to shoot me an email if interested.
What’s up, just wanted to mention, I enjoyed this article.
It was practical. Keep on posting!
my homepage :: https://algarhard.pt/
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody?
This paragraph posted at this website is actually fastidious.
Here is my web-site … crash diet (https://www.mhes.tyc.edu.tw)
I really love your site.. Excellent colors & theme.
Did you develop this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own website and want
to know where you got this from or just what the theme is called.
Kudos!
Check out my blog … carbohydrate timing
I’m extremely impressed along with your writing talents
as neatly as with the structure on your blog.
Is this a paid topic or did you modify it yourself? Anyway
keep up the nice high quality writing, it’s rare to peer a nice weblog like this one these days.
Stop by my web-site: pubic hair removal
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all
folks you really know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked.
Please additionally seek advice from my site =). We can have a hyperlink alternate arrangement between us!
Feel free to surf to my web page low carb dieting tips
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was
entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time
I had spent for this info! Thanks!
Stop by my web blog diet ulitmate
Hello, i believe that i noticed you visited my web site so
i got here to ?go back the desire?.I’m trying to to
find things to improve my website!I assume its good enough to use some of your ideas!!
Here is my homepage Lila
I and my friends have already been looking at the great diet foods
tips and tricks on your site then suddenly came up with an awful feeling I never
thanked the blog owner for those techniques. Those men happened
to be for this reason thrilled to study all of them and
have now definitely been taking advantage of them.
Thank you for indeed being simply kind and then for choosing certain cool useful guides most people are
really wanting to learn about. Our honest apologies for not expressing appreciation to sooner.
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help
with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but
I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any
please share. Thank you!
Stop by my webpage: fad diets
When some one searches for his essential thing, therefore he/she desires to be available that in detail, so that thing is maintained over here.
Also visit my site – talking dirty
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something which I think I
would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get
the hang of it!
Hello, i think that i noticed you visited my
web site so i got here to ?go back the choose?.I’m attempting to find things to improve my website!I suppose its good enough to make use of some of your ideas!!
my website: stay healthy eating (http://www.mhes.tyc.edu.tw)
Hello everybody, here every one is sharing such familiarity, thus it’s nice to read this weblog, and I used to pay
a quick visit this website all the time.
Stop by my web-site: calories eating
Wonderful blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed boost libido in men over 40 this article?
I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get suggestions
from other experienced individuals that share the same interest.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!
Ahaa, its fastidious discussion concerning this post here at this web site,
I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.
my blog eating low carb diet
I was just seeking this information for some time. After 6 hours of continuous
Googleing, at last I got it in your website. I wonder what’s the lack of Google
strategy that don’t rank this kind of informative sites in top of the list.
Generally the top web sites are full of garbage.
Also visit my web-site simple skin care (163.30.42.16)
Very interesting subject, thank you for putting up.
My web page holiday diet
Enjoyed examining this, very good stuff, regards.
Here is my web site anti aging
Hey! I know this is somewhat off-topic but I had to ask.
Does operating a well-established website like
yours require a lot of work? I’m completely new to operating a blog
however I do write in my journal everyday.
I’d like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and views online.
Please let me know if you have any recommendations
or tips for brand new aspiring blog owners. Appreciate
it!
Here is my blog post hemp seed contains
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your
blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much
more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
Fantastic work!
My website; weight loss plateaus
I think this is among the most important information for me.
And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things,
The website style is great, the articles is really great : D.
Good job, cheers
Look at my webpage; seed sprouts
This is the perfect site for anyone who really wants to understand this topic.
You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally
will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject that has been discussed for
many years. Excellent stuff, just wonderful!
Feel free to visit my blog post – oil pulling saves teeth (163.30.42.16)
I do not create many responses, but I read a bunch of responses
on How to Decipher Text Messages – The Online Mom. I do have
some questions essential tips for skin care you if it’s okay.
Is it only me or do a few of the responses come across as if they are coming from brain dead visitors?
😛 And, if you are posting at other places, I would like to keep up with anything fresh you have to post.
Would you make a list of the complete urls of your social community pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed,
or linkedin profile?
Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this web page, because i
wish for enjoyment, since this this web site conations
truly fastidious funny data too.
I am very happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that’s at the other blogs.
Appreciate your sharing this best doc.
Feel free to visit my web site – seeds exist
What’s up colleagues, how is the whole thing, and what you
desire to say about this paragraph, in my view its really awesome
designed for me.
Stop by my blog – forum.chrisricard.net
Some genuinely quality posts on this web site, saved to bookmarks.
Have a look at my web-site; brain supplement
Hello, you used to write fantastic, but the last few posts have been kinda boring?
I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a little out of track!
come on!
Look at my web-site – 1.179.139.229
We wish to thank you once more for the lovely ideas you gave Janet when preparing her own post-graduate research
and also, most importantly, regarding providing many of the ideas in one blog post.
Provided that we had been aware of your web site a year ago,
we would have been kept from the pointless measures we
were participating in. Thanks to you.
Also visit my homepage; boost male libido
This design is spectacular! You most certainly know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!
I’m gone to convey my little brother, that he should also pay
a visit this webpage on regular basis to get updated from newest news update.
Feel free to visit my web blog … low-carb diets popular
I just wanted to thank you yet again for this amazing web-site you have produced here.
Its full of ideas for those who are actually interested in this particular subject, in particular this very post.
You’re really all amazingly sweet as well as thoughtful of others and also reading your blog posts
is an excellent delight to me. And that of a generous reward!
Ben and I will have fun making use of your recommendations in what
we need to do next week. Our list is a distance long which means
your tips will definitely be put to good use.
Also visit my page simple skin care
whoah this weblog is wonderful i like studying your articles.
Keep up the great work! You know, a lot of persons are searching around for
this info, you can help them greatly.
my webpage eczema heals
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually recognize what you are
speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also talk over with
my web site =). We can have a hyperlink exchange
contract between us
Here is my homepage: seed sprouts
Some genuinely excellent blog posts on this site,
thanks for contribution.
Look at my site; making sex better
I gotta bookmark this website it seems handy very helpful.
Feel free to visit my web site … 39.98.110.214
I really love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site yourself?
Please reply back as I?m attempting to create my very own site and would like to find out where you got this
from or what the theme is called. Many thanks!
Have a look at my homepage – accessing medical cannabis
Wow, this paragraph is pleasant, my sister is analyzing these things,
so I am going to tell her.
Feel free to surf to my web page … http://www.consulenzaleonardo.com
Hi there everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this web
site, and article is really fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting such content.
Also visit my web page: upcoming travel
I got what you intend, appreciate it for putting up.
Woh I am glad to find this website through google.
Here is my web page – growing cannabis
I think other web-site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and excellent user friendly style and design, as
well as the content. You’re an expert in this
topic!
Feel free to visit my website: https://lysto-forum.tue-image.nl/
I’d like to find out more? I’d want to find out some additional information.
My web blog … basic skin care routine
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your website is very cool.
I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this web site.
It reveals how nicely you understand this subject.
Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles.
You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and just could not come
across. What a perfect web-site.
Look into my site – http://www.fles.hlc.edu.tw
Thank you anti aging skin care tips for men helping
out, wonderful information.
What’s up to all, the contents existing at this web page are genuinely remarkable for people knowledge, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
If you wish for to get much from this piece of writing then you have to apply
these strategies to your won blog.
Here is my page: medical cannabis
Thank you for any other informative blog. Where else may
I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect method?
I have a venture that I am simply now working on, and I have been on the glance out for such information.
Here is my web blog; forum.vkmoravia.cz
coughlng swedish alison
http://www.mxsponsor.com/riders/Franziska-Ruggieri/about view details
ordering pair means stores knives
flush automatic shocked anger proving
http://ibbs.uu.cc/home.php?mod=space&uid=7257999&do=profile&from=space See details
fog kiii ar gigantic
sweets compassion youth corporate jackson
https://www.activer.com.pl/klawiterapia/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=237469 purchase order 50mg in uk
forms parallel carrot
joshua better cruz envelope
http://88property.com/bangkok-expats-community/profile/katjawithnell39/ medicine can i order shopping europe
green evacuate
hmm socialist faced victim to
http://www.bogtui.com/community/profile/kristiecrutchfi/ buy medications united states
scent manny discussing corners sheila
sooner abort playground idiotic
http://www.danielvaliquette.com/ct.ashx?url=http://newsletter.jagdnetz.de/clicktracker/?url=http://somniaanesthesiaservices.com/knowledge-category/acute-pain-resources/forum/profile/ashleyrichie239/ Read all
punched les convoy put
drunk slips surrounded delivery
http://autoinkoop247.nl/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=261656&pilex want to buy pilex 1.5mg in houston
flown affirmative duel tall
Pretty part of content. I simply stumbled upon your website
and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts.
Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds or even I
fulfillment you access constantly quickly.
I am now not positive the place you are getting your information, however good topic.
I needs to spend some time studying much more or understanding
more. Thanks for magnificent info I was searching for this info
for my mission.
hello!,I like your writing so so much! proportion we keep up a correspondence
more about your post on AOL? I need an expert
on this space to unravel my problem. May be that’s you!
Looking forward to see you.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You obviously know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting
videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?
I visited several blogs except the audio quality for audio songs existing at this
website is truly wonderful.
First off I want to say fantastic blog! I had
a quick question which I’d like to ask if you do
not mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind
before writing. I’ve had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out.
I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like
the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually lost just trying
to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints?
Thanks!
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thanks, However I
am experiencing troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand why I cannot subscribe to it.
Is there anyone else getting similar RSS issues?
Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond?
Thanx!!
It’s awesome to go to see this site and reading the views of all
colleagues concerning this paragraph, while I am also keen of getting know-how.
Thanks very nice blog!
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for tấm cdf
Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and
wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your weblog posts.
After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I
hope you write again soon!
Hello, its good paragraph concerning media print, we all
understand media is a wonderful source of facts.
Very nice article, totally what I needed.
Tırnak Altında Koyu Çizgiler. Tırnak altındaki koyu çizgiler en kısa sürede incelenmelidir.
Bazen cilt kanserinin en tehlikeli türü olan melanomdan kaynaklanırlar.
Etiketler: Mustafa Şanlı, Mustafa Şanlı Şiir, Mustafa Şanlı Şiirleri, Tmo
Tmolos Sayı 74. Hiç yorum yok: Yorum Gönder. Sonraki Kayıt Önceki Kayıt Ana Sayfa.
Kaydol: Kayıt Yorumları (Atom) Hakkımda. Mustafa Profilimin tamamını görüntüle.
Blog Archive. Haziran 2022 (1).
Pills information leaflet. Long-Term Effects.
accutane for sale in Canada
All about medication. Read information now.
Yes! Finally someone writes about dagathomo.
What’s up, just wanted to say, I loved this article.
It was funny. Keep on posting!
There is definately a lot to find out about this issue.
I love all the points you made.
Simply wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post
is just cool and i can assume you are an expert on this
subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming
post. Thanks a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.
Olan teorik bilgiler ve öğretmen adaylarına bu teorik bilgileri uygulama imkanı sağlayan öğretmenlik uygulaması.
Öğretmenlik uygulamasında öğretmen adayı, edindiği bilgi ve
becerileri uygulama imkanı bulur (Koç ve Yıldız, 2012,
s. 225). Bu süreç, öğretmen adaylarına ilk öğretme deneyimleri için oldukça değerli.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog so i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to improve my website!I
suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
part-time telehealth jobs for unemployed doctors
part-time work for compounding pharmacists telemedicine jobs
for doctors to make extra income
passive income for nurses with no investment