Mixed Signals · No. 32
What does “Looks like fun” mean?
From Ellis, a friend, after you posted photos from a party they weren’t invited to
Looks like fun.
It could mean
- Happy for you
- Left out, and a little hurt
- Teasing you
What was going on
The story behind this one appears here once the week to play it is over. Play it on Mixed Signals to see it now.
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 an experiment, college students rated one-word text replies like “Okay” and “Sure” as less sincere when they ended with a period. The same replies in handwritten notes weren’t affected.
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.