If you're new to live chat you might not notice the chat room etiquette standards followed by online friends. When you have a light bulb moment during a chat and want to barge in to a conversation between two other chatters - it's against the commonly accepted rules. Don't interrupt.
In real life you'd be ticked off if a friend yelled at you during a conversation. According to chat room etiquette rules typing a sentence in all caps is considered to be yelling. To communicate that your word or phrase has added importance you can place asterisks *like this* before and after it.
Some rules are common sense. It's crucial to avoid verbal abuse of any kind. If someone else is ignoring chat room etiquette and being abusive or threatening, your only response should be * *. It'll probably annoy rude dude more to be ignored anyways. If she's trashing your fave political candidate just leave the room.
When you encounter someone obviously looking for love they might ask a sex check question. For example SAL. Sex, age, location. Often it's the first thing they say to you.
In real life:
1. They'd know by the visual.
2. They'd hopefully know its rude to ask your age.
3. Your location would be obvious.
Chat room etiquette requires you refrain from those questions online. There are online dating chat rooms for those inquiries. If a guy would say, "What's your sign" immediately reject him as waaay too old and waaay too - let's say unsophisticated - to waste a response on. Just exit.
Another habit to avoid is putting in your two cents worth when you don't *have* a two cents worth. Obviously etiquette dictates the importance of not interrupting. When you develop regular online friendships always ask permission within the live chat room before inviting them to pm (private message). That's just polite. It's analogous to knocking on some one's front door rather than opening it and entering without notice.
Using good chat room etiquette will ensure your welcome in chat rooms. It's important. But, keeping your personal information private is even more important. Stuff happens and your new online acquaintance named Amber could be a 45 year old guy with a mustache.
Tags: Livechat Chatroom Etiquette
