What using abbreviations can cost or save you

On Etiquette...

I don't claim to be an expert on the issues borthering around etiquette, but i have learned a few things that would definitely be of help.

The use of abbreviations in our day to day conversations has become quite alarming. Some call it 'short hand' and very many indulge in the use of strange and meaningless abbreviations like: wat, lyk, cumin, re, becum, tink, hv, hw, b4, btw, and so on. Truth is, popular as they may seem, not everyone understands them and not everyone takes kindly to the use of them.

Speaking from the Nigerian point of view: Initially, abbreviation was introduced as a means to reduce the number of pages our text consumed so as to reduce the cost we had to pay per page of SMS (that was when text messages cost about 7 to 10 naira per page) or so I think . I use 'we' because I was guilty of it for a long time.


Well today, text messages cost 4Naira per page but people still go ahead to make use of the 'short hand' (most of which are ambiguous). Funny thing is some of those who practice this, probably didn't even 'see' the era of 7Naira per text page. And now, even on social media where most of the platforms don't charge per page, it has become a bad habit that is difficult to break.

Fair enough, some people may have genuine reasons for making use of of abbreviations which could include wanting to save time, wanting to sound casual, wanting to sound sophisticated, etc. But, it is worthy of note that 'whatever is worth doing is worth doing well'. You may not be judged for making use of abbreviations in chatting with close pals. However, a habit could gradually evolve from the act and the consequences could span wide to include things like; loss of job opportunities, loss of favour generally, failure in exams, etc. 

Here are a few things that could help regulate your use of abbreviations:
1. Know that you are not speaking to yourself: When you make posts, its not for personal use but for the consumption of your audience and the purpose is communication which means that the other person must understand your message; he must be able to decode it appropriately else, the aim of your message would be defeated. Not everyone understands non-dictionary approved abbreviations. 

2. Understand that your audience is mixed: Especially on social media, you have a crowd more vast than you can know in most cases. Now, you don't exactly know who and who are on your page, neither can you tell their race, exact level of literacy, influence, nor their angle of perception. You do not want to start a war by passing the wrong message. It is therefore important that you use complete words (may not always be always be conventional, but it must be something that adequately passes your message across) so if some people still don't understand, it most likely means that your post was deliberately crafted to exempt them from gaining understanding. If you must communicate, make use of complete and correct texts.

3. Your image /brand is important: You only get to project what you want people to see. Fortunately and unfortunately, you wield that kind of power on the social media. You should note that the content of your posts gives people a subconscious perception of whom you are. If you are given to making use of unnecessary abbreviations, I personally think you come across as a not serious minded person and your content stands the risk of being taken lightly no matter how good it is. Present the type of image you want even the president to acknowledge if he happened to sneak up on your page. 

We Nigerian kids know better than to do a text message to dad using 'short hand'
Workers in the civil service and most private firms, know better than to write memos or send official messages using 'short hand'
What then is the big deal?

I'm not advocating pretence, I'm just advocating the need to do what is right not just what you like, as you like.

Frank notes from Fidel to you.
Lots of love.