Mixed Signals › Every message

Mixed Signals · No. 11

What does “Your call I guess” mean?

From Quinn, your roommate, after you asked if your partner could stay with you for a week

Your call I guess.

It could mean

PorcupineI’d read it a few ways:
  • Uneasy, and not wanting to say no
  • Annoyed that you asked
  • Fine with it either way
Nobody could know from the words alone.

What was going on

Quinn had finals that week and was worried about the noise, but didn’t want to seem unwelcoming.

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.

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.