Mixed Signals · No. 15
What does “haha sure, why not” mean?
From Drew, a coworker, after you asked them to cover your Friday shift
haha sure, why not
It could mean
- Annoyed, and saying yes anyway
- Happy to help out
- Not sure yet, and being polite
What was going on
Drew had been hoping someone would ask. They needed the extra hours.
This message and its story are made up. Real messages don’t come with the story.Ask before you answer
Text loses tone, so a short message can read harsher, or softer, than it was meant. Before you answer, ask what they meant. That’s Check before assuming, one of the principles Porcupine is built on.
What research says
In a study of 43 WhatsApp chats in French-speaking Switzerland, a written laugh did more than say “that’s funny.” It also steered the chat. A laugh sent as its own message, with the sender’s comment in the next one, usually closed the topic. A message that opened with a laugh and went on usually left room for the other person to keep the topic going.
Got a real text like this? Run a Quills Check.
Paste it. I’ll show you a few ways it could be read, and what you could ask instead of guessing. Writing your own? Switch to “I’m sending it” and I’ll show you if the quills are up.
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Find the words with Porcupine
The Quills Check helps with one text. Porcupine helps with the whole conversation, from what you ask through their reply. It’s coming soon, and we’ll let you know when it’s ready.
Every message and story in Mixed Signals is made up.