Mixed Signals · No. 30
What does “Sure” mean?
From Elliot, your sister-in-law, after you said you’d skip her birthday dinner
Sure.
It could mean
- Fine with it
- Hurt, and wanting to be left alone
- Busy, and not paying attention
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 three experiments, one-word text replies read differently with a period. “Yeah.” seemed less sincere than “Yeah”, and replies like “Nope.” and “Maybe.” seemed more negative or less enthusiastic.
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.