Mixed Signals · No. 7
What does “Fine. Whatever you think is best” mean?
From Riley, your sister, after you asked where to hold Mom’s birthday dinner
Fine. Whatever you think is best.
It could mean
- Annoyed, and giving up on it
- Tired, and glad you’re deciding
- Hurt that you didn’t ask sooner
What was going on
Riley had just finished a double shift and was glad someone else was deciding.
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 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.