Research says you’re a dick if you end your texts with a period.
Of course, your friends have probably been telling you that for years.
A study conducted by a whole team of people from Binghamton University determined that texts ending with a period were rated as less sincere than those that did not. It’s kind of like the condescending patronization of someone saying “period” at the end of something they say in person.
Yes Craig, we’re talking to you.
Anyway, the researchers asked respondents how they felt about one-word replies that ended either with a period or no punctuation at all. A great friend would write “kk” for example, while the devil would respond with “k.”
“Texting is lacking many of the social cues used in actual face-to-face conversations. When speaking, people easily convey social and emotional information with eye gaze, facial expressions, tone of voice, pauses, and so on,” said study leader Celia Klin.
“People obviously can’t use these mechanisms when they are texting. Thus, it makes sense that texters rely on what they have available to them — emoticons, deliberate misspellings that mimic speech sounds and, according to our data, punctuation.”
The study is incredibly limited on account of its small sample size (126 undergrads) and inability to consider more than one-word replies since most phones automatically add periods after a double space, therefor rendering their use a non-conscious expression.
If you want to convey above-average sincerity, meanwhile, you should end your sentences with an exclamation. Of course, not everyone is a fan of this.
Not to mention, these are worst texts you can send.
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