Ok, I am an older person, I find that when I text/email I use the old 'letter' writing etiquette - I open with a salutation, even just "Hi" then say what I am texting/emailing about - then end with a closing. So how many here find themselves still using 'old school' letter writing techniques in a time of "lol" "TTYL" and all the shorthand, most of which I am not familiar with?

And is it a bad thing to use some old school 'politeness'? Or am I a dinosaur? Do we all have to buy into QUICK in every text and email? (mostly texting)

Ok, I am an older person, I find that when I text/email I use the old 'letter' writing etiquette - I open with a salutation, even just "Hi" then say what I am texting/emailing about - then end with a closing. So how many here find themselves still using 'old school' letter writing techniques in a time of "lol" "TTYL" and all the shorthand, most of which I am not familiar with?

And is it a bad thing to use some old school 'politeness'? Or am I a dinosaur? Do we all have to buy into QUICK in every text and email? (mostly texting)

Yes, i recall old school writing such as you desribed...however, i also remember watching my kids and grandthingies exchanging text...hard to text hundreds of times a day the old school way plus in this digital age their starting point is way ahead of mine...by that i mean their threshold includes btw, ttyl, hmu, etc and other "shorthand" things to be able to write a paragraph in a couple of lines ...of course, it did not hurt that i could not understand a word of it at that time.....the reality is - that is the clothing they wear...

and in order to communicate across the board, I have had to learn the "lingo" also...unfortunately it creeps in more and more when chatting...

I think that the fact that kids are texting hundreds of times a day is part of the problem far beyond using a few letters to represent words, texting has replaced TALKING, the text shorthand has replaced knowing how to use the English language. I am all for the shorthand usage if and when the user has passed a grade appropriate English test proving that they know better and this is just a quick way to communicate with friends.

I fully admit to being a dinosaur!
I know exactly what you mean and it's frustrating and sometimes takes me a while to figure out what some are even saying in extreme cases. In my case as a man it's usually the younger the more they won't or don't know how to even form complete sentences. Sadly it seems many are borderline illiterates or just too lazy! Also I think as time passes more and more most social graces fall by the wayside.
My best advice is to be proud of who you are, your experiences and embrace your inner dinosaur.

I simply love the English language and am a once published writer, so, as you say I will embrace my inner dinosaur and keep on writing like someone who knows how to!
After all, what's the alternative? As you said - Dumb yourself down to their level? Not me! I am ok with using lol, ttyl, etc with close friends and family but much beyond those simple shortcuts I dind annoying even when I know what the shortcuts mean, jeez if you have some to say to me, say it in English, It isn't that damn hard!

All that said I know some very intelligent young people who use all the shorthand, I am jut not sure that they could write a letter without using it and that is what concerns me. Like using a velcro shoe closure BUT knowing full well how to tie a shoelace, nothing wrong with velcro unless you never learned to tie a shoelace.

im a video gamer
so i use a lot of short hand
afk
brb
wtf
etc etc etc

worrie less what others think
if it offends or bothers them ,
its better ya not be around it any ways
<shrug>
oh and add in i like to change letters on words
worken instead of working
it be driven the spellen pole lice crazy...er

: )

and remember they dont teach cursive writing in schools
dont worrie if ya cant read the constitution , are leaders can tell ya us what it says

<face palm>

best wishes on your hunt

Ok, I am an older person, I find that when I text/email I use the old 'letter' writing etiquette - I open with a salutation, even just "Hi" then say what I am texting/emailing about - then end with a closing. So how many here find themselves still using 'old school' letter writing techniques in a time of "lol" "TTYL" and all the shorthand, most of which I am not familiar with?

And is it a bad thing to use some old school 'politeness'? Or am I a dinosaur? Do we all have to buy into QUICK in every text and email? (mostly texting)

Text speak?

I find it to be, an insult to the intellect of
the reader.

So do I BUT we are not young, so what I wonder is CAN the youth of today write without text speak? If they can then more power to them but if they can't WE as a people have a BIG problem!

The only person I text with is my sister. We use full words and punctuation.

I don't use short hand all that much. I do use lol quite a bit and will occasionally use short hand in casual convo such as these forums, but I try to refrain from it. I never use short hand in a professional or other formal manner. I don't think it's necessarily and older folks thing, but a smart people thing.

YO HO, long live smart people!!! Especially those of us who keep our beautiful language alive and practiced.

Make room the future leaders of the world (who knew Twitting would be how a US president communicates?) but while we live let some of old folks preserve writing as if it is a gift to give and to be recieved.

So funny that you brought up cursive not being taught in schools, a few weeks ago I came across a 'cursive' test online, I suppose it is a sign of the times that such a test even exists. Sad that our young won't be able to read old family letters...why can't we 'add' without 'subtracting'?

I fully admit to being a dinosaur!
I know exactly what you mean and it's frustrating and sometimes takes me a while to figure out what some are even saying in extreme cases. In my case as a man it's usually the younger the more they won't or don't know how to even form complete sentences. Sadly it seems many are borderline illiterates or just too lazy! Also I think as time passes more and more most social graces fall by the wayside.
My best advice is to be proud of who you are, your experiences and embrace your inner dinosaur.
After all what's the alternative? Dumb yourself down to their level? Not me!

Ok, I am an older person, I find that when I text/email I use the old 'letter' writing etiquette - I open with a salutation, even just "Hi" then say what I am texting/emailing about - then end with a closing. So how many here find themselves still using 'old school' letter writing techniques in a time of "lol" "TTYL" and all the shorthand, most of which I am not familiar with?

And is it a bad thing to use some old school 'politeness'? Or am I a dinosaur? Do we all have to buy into QUICK in every text and email? (mostly texting)