How to Practice Instant Message Etiquette

Video Transcript

"Even in Cyberspace it is never good to be rude and it is even harder to avoid being rude because you don't have that face to face contact that you have in the real world so we are going to talk today about some etiquette tips for Instant Messenging so you don't lose any friends. Just like in the real world it is never great to be rude in Cyberspace and it is maybe even more and more important because you don't have the face to face communication. So I would always start by saying hello instead of just jumping into a conversation with someone because they may be doing something and they feel imposed upon if you just sort of launch into your own train of thought. So I would say that is something to you know use a greeting, it's just a ploy. Now if you look here you can tell if someone is buy or anything because there will be a little icon so respect that. Don't just jump in if they may be busy doing something. Also check for do not disturb or unavailable indicators. These are there for a reason and a lot of people are at work. You know don't just send Instant Messages to someone at work, check their handle because sometimes that is an indication that they are at work, be careful and in this propriety use common sense. Another thing to do is if someone has sent you something that you need to think about let them know because a lot of people will think they are abandoned on the other side of the conversation because there is not that facial response that you have from discussions. So write them a little thing and let them know the status. You have to think about what you are saying and they'll appreciate it and they won't feel like it is a one sided conversation. Another thing to do is if you are off doing something site your away mode and tell them that you are not there or better yet just turn the Instant Messenger off because you don't want your co-workers just looking at all your conversations with your friends, just turn on the away message and it is a lot less hassle for everyone."