Surely without those non-verbals present in front of you, it is much easier to misunderstand what someone is saying online. You have to rely on your own perception on how you read others' writing styles. Even using emoticons doesn't help TOO much because everyone uses those differently or interprets them differently. For example, that thread with people thinking a certain emoticon was signifying another type of facial expression.

Have you ever had a misunderstanding in communication styles with an online friend? Like, you get the impression they are always wanting to joke or always wanting to be serious. Then you later find out they thought you wanted to keep this up, and they confess they didn't wanna keep up that style of communication? Hope that doesn't sound too confusing...

What I am trying to say is that you are thinking, "Oh! I see what's happening. We both totally misunderstood each other." So.... you want to try and explain what has happened to your online friend(s) since they have gotten this impression already. This misunderstanding....

What do you think it will take to reverse this thought process? And, how long do you think it would take to give time/space to your friend who already has this impression in their head?

I just believe that time heals wounds (it wasn't so much a wound but this misunderstanding), but the communication style can be in any way, actually....

Anyone have this happen? How did it work out? How long did it take?

I've never really had an all-out fight because of an online miscommunication, but I have misinterpreted people online before. It's really hard to tell when people are being sarcastic over the internet.

I hope the conflict gets resolved for you :)

I've never really had an all-out fight because of an online miscommunication, but I have misinterpreted people online before. It's really hard to tell when people are being sarcastic over the internet.

I hope the conflict gets resolved for you :)
:yeahthat

I guess I've come to rely on this little guy ;) for a reason. It's kind of my trademark now, but it also signifies that I'm joking about something.

I've been involved in quite a few misunderstandings where I have been joking around about something but others will think that I was being serious. So like TJL I use ;) more often so everyone knows up front that I am kidding about something.

Surely without those non-verbals present in front of you, it is much easier to misunderstand what someone is saying online. You have to rely on your own perception on how you read others' writing styles. Even using emoticons doesn't help TOO much because everyone uses those differently or interprets them differently. For example, that thread with people thinking a certain emoticon was signifying another type of facial expression.

Have you ever had a misunderstanding in communication styles with an online friend? Like, you get the impression they are always wanting to joke or always wanting to be serious. Then you later find out they thought you wanted to keep this up, and they confess they didn't wanna keep up that style of communication? Hope that doesn't sound too confusing...

What I am trying to say is that you are thinking, "Oh! I see what's happening. We both totally misunderstood each other." So.... you want to try and explain what has happened to your online friend(s) since they have gotten this impression already. This misunderstanding....

What do you think it will take to reverse this thought process? And, how long do you think it would take to give time/space to your friend who already has this impression in their head?

I just believe that time heals wounds (it wasn't so much a wound but this misunderstanding), but the communication style can be in any way, actually....

Anyone have this happen? How did it work out? How long did it take?

I think it is true that you can misinterpret someone's mood, online I know I have, I always had the tendency to assume the worst, when it wasn't really like that at all. Now, I just try to not overanalyze what someone says and I'm better off. :)

Usually if I'm making a sarcastic joke that could otherwise be interpreted as rude, I always say "LMAO!" after it, to imply that I meant it to be funny.

Even if I'm not personally laughing myself, I always type that when I'm being lighthearted, just because I think it conveys the jokingness of the situation.