Internet Etiquette

This is from the "Things You Can Use Everyday" category:

It is generally poor form to abruptly end an online chat conversation unless you sign off with something like "I have to run" or "I'm leaving I'll see you later" or even a simple "bye."

For example:

THE WRONG WAY (pay particular attention to the length of the gap in the conversation):

5:09 PM Kathleen: whatever

what do you mean?

you think it would be THAT BAD for the country

if stevens wins

me: no, i don't care about the country -- i just meant that you plan on skipping town and not paying

51 minutes

6:00 PM Kathleen: the $5

you crazy

6:01 PM =)

Kathleen is offline. Messages you send will be delivered when Kathleen comes online.

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THE RIGHT WAY:

5:09 PM Kathleen: whatever

what do you mean?

you think it would be THAT BAD for the country

if stevens wins

me: no, i don't care about the country -- i just meant that you plan on skipping town and not paying

51 minutes

6:00 PM Kathleen: the $5

you crazy, but you're also right

6:01 PM I have to go, I will talk to you later.
Bye
Kathleen is offline. Messages you send will be delivered when Kathleen comes online.

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Note: That this last way is better in two ways. (A) Proper internet etiquette. (B) Acknowledges that Alex is right, which he almost always is.

Overall lesson: The etiquette for talking online is essentially the same as talking on the phone. You are allowed to end the conversations suddenly but only if you acknowledge that you are in fact ending the conversation suddenly.

You would not say to a friend, "I want to eat dinner at a Chinese restaurant" and then immediately hang up.

You would say, "I want to eat dinner at a Chinese restaurant .... OH SHIT! My water just broke. I have to go. I'll call you back."

OR

"I want to eat dinner at a Chinese restaurant. But not with you so I'm going to hang up now. Bye, asshole."

Either is acceptable because you provided closure to the conversation.