Whenever I read an email, text, online post, or handwritten letter (I still "pen pal" with a couple girlfriends) I tend to read it in their voice. It's as though they are sitting right there & I can tell the meaning of what they have written and know what they are truly saying because I assign their actual tone and inflection to their written word.
All that being said, I don't know anyone on this forum in real life but still tend to assign a tone to their writing. Perhaps it's because I've read many posts by some of the members that I do this or maybe it's due to the way they write. For instance, some people tend to sound more laid back, others sound very passionate, some very practical and forthright, some a bit snooty, some artsy, some young, some wise,and some British (though from their profile they are most definitely not). Do you guys do this? How do you think you "sound" to others?
****This is in NO WAY meant to be a post that calls people out nor is rude so please don't turn it into that! It's just an amusing observation***
Thanks for playing along with my little amusements. I haven't been on the site for a few weeks as we were moving (again) and came back to the new format.
I also have a mamapedia "cast of characters" in my brain!
Oh & sorry it wasn't about ring tones - my husband is the only one that has a special one - I keep thinking about doing it for others but haven't gotten around to it. His ring tone is a favorite song & his text alert is a screaming goat! It's awesome when that one goes off unexpectedly in a quiet room!
Yes, there are some posters who I do have a 'voice inside my head' for. Not everyone, but a few people. A little "mamapedia" cast of characters, if you will. :)
I love that you are still exchanging handwritten letters. I do postcards now and again-- they are fun, and sometimes it's just a treat to find a neat card which reminds you of a friend, write them a note and send it off. Such a treat to receive in the mail, too!
No I don't do that. I read it for what it is and move on. I don't have time to analyze it or think of the persons actual tone and inflection their voice may have.
As far as my comments...I say it like I mean it most of the time so I do come of snarky on occasion but try really hard not to. lol
I think we all do. However, it's the written word and as well as you MIGHT know someone, you can inflect the WRONG "tone".
How do I sound to others? it all depends upon the context and WHO you are asking? To some of the other mom's on here? Weeeeeellll....some say I'm mean. Others? They enjoy my candor and no blowing smoke up your skirts....
I was HOPING this was about "ring tones" and yep - I assign ring tones to people - even text notifications.
Yeah, no, not really. I don't think about what someone's voice sounds like unless I've heard it. I do, however, get a sense of personality based on what they write and how they write it. Whatever "tone" is ascribed to each of us, though, is on the reader. I don't believe for a minute any of us are how we appear on here.
Oh, I definitely try to read the tone of anyone posting. But it really isn't easy when you don't know them, right?
When I write, I absolutely try to consider how it sounds to someone else. I think most of us do. Sometimes I think I go out of my way to help make my tone clear. The problem with that is that my posts are just so wordy that it makes me wonder if people think to themselves, "Ug! That post is way too long. I think I'll skip that one." I hope that's not the case, but I wouldn't blame anyone if it was :-)
LOL yes I do. I also can't help but "do voices" when I tell a story in which I quote someone. My kids do it too...every story comes with a voice impersonation. We don't even think about it, it just happens.
omg, yes!
and while i might misread a tone the first or second time i read someone's post, i'm positive i get it right most of the time with regs.
:D khairete
S.
Having been a pen pal back in the day (when we used real paper, pen/pencil, envelopes/postage, etc) - I can say that REAL mail has a definite tone to it.
My husband saved every love letter I've ever written to him.
Text/email - even if you use fancy fonts/emojis, etc - it's not the same.
I think a persons vocabulary (or lack thereof) comes through.
But tone can only be guessed at and sarcasm is totally lost.
Since I have been on this site for many years... way back to Mamasource. I feel as though I know many of the regulars. Actually, I am friends with quite a few.
I try not to assign a "tone" to people because it would be wrong of me to make that assumption. However, I do feel as though I know some personalities and I get the gist of where some remarks are coming from when I read them. At the same time, everyone has a bad day now and then and can come across the wrong way unintentionally.
I really try to be respectful of people on here and think about why they are posting and consider the responses as well. However, I have been called out and flamed many times. My bluntness sometimes is misinterpreted by some who are pretty sensitive. I continue to be a work in progress to soften myself a bit.
One thing that is true about me... I will not type a response if I am not willing to look at you in the face and say the exact same words.
I try not to. Why? Because if I'm in a foul mood? I will put a tone that really shouldn't be there. Or if I don't like the person? Again, put a tone that shouldn't be there. For example, there is a coach I don't like, any time he sends an e-mail to parents? I just read it in a snotty tone. It's not fair but it happens.
I absolutely do that. It's harder and harder these D. though because of the current and increasing technology. work emails are the most dangerous. I recall getting a quick email in all caps from my boss once and I was like..."um...are you yelling at me?" After a quick interaction it was cleared up, he was older and unaware of this nuance. One of my favorites on this site is our dear Suz t. :-) Have a great day ladies!!!!!!! S
on another forum that i have been a member of for 6 years i do this. but i have not been on here long enough to know posters and their usual resopnses. there are a couple that i am getting framiliar with and theres a few that i look foreward to the remarks from.
Of course. We call have a voice, in writing, it's called style.
I used to assign tone to peoples' voices all the time. However, I no longer do it because even IF I know the person well or don't, I found that depending upon my own mood, I would interpret the mood as such. In many cases, I often think I would mistake a person's tone of voice and then get upset and think about it all day.. Even when face to face, this can happen. Now, I am so much better and not applying tone or even projecting my own feelings on to a person. Life became so much easier and more joyful when I stopped taking everything personally and just became responsible for me...
also.. someone IF they wanted, might take what you wrote at the end of your post as a being a lecture as to how one might respond to this question, and therefore your tone might sound condescending or even demanding... However, that would be one way to look at it.. another, you just don't want to get into a heated argument... The only thing I can say is. .you can write what you want, but you can't control how others respond....so letting go is the best option..
