oh em gee people use tone indicators when conversing!!!

-Mostly serious and neutral connotations :)-

I know it's hypocritical because I don't use this as often as needed, but I'm trying my best to make it a habit. I'm realizing now that it's so hard reading people's tone of voice on messages, and it's already even a struggle for me irl with my own mom (she has a serious voice even if sometimes she's joking, it catches me off guard).

USE! TONE! INDICATORS! /genuine /lighthearted

I almost got riled up at someone because I was being reminded of something (I know, I have mood issues, and I was acting up) because it was written in monotonous lowercase and it's hard to guess if they're just concerned or are raising their chins, feeling superior over me because I don't know enough about a certain topic.

But then I had to stay calm and carefully approach the recepient, write out the response, brace for the inevitable and hope and pray I didn't offend someone and get cancelled. Going on the Internet with an opinion in general is like walking through a landmine.

Thankfully, it didnt turn out as bad as I thought and it was just a matter of bad wording and incomplete ideas being strung out. Then again, it still shows how tone indicators are needed in certain scenarios. (and that im a sensitive crybaby who would freak out at the smallest of things 😭)

Even if tone indicators arent used, another tactic I use is saying words like "lol" or "XD" and using a handful of emojis to show whether I'm joking or scared or caring. But it won't always work considering some people use 🥰😍 for sarcasm... which is an issue too.

I've also learned this from finding out that a handful of my cousins are being made fun of because they can't detect sarcasm. In real life. Talking personally to people. Like even if they manipulate their tone of voice so much, it's still as hard to know whether they're being genuine or they're setting up others for an awaited punchline.

I feel for them. It's hard being like this, why can't we be normal and somehow know sarcasm or joking or genuine conversations a hundred percent??!??!?! /silly

I mean, sadly this is definitely not encouraged and/or taught in schools but life has taught me otherwise. Tone indicators are needed especially for others who find it harder to detect emotions through voice or text alone.

wellllpppp that's about it, sorry yall, just went on a tangent here because I was freaking out 😭😭😭😭