There’s an interesting article in The Times Online today. Jean Hannah Edelstein, author of Himglish and Females, wrote an article about how technology like Facebook, email, text messaging and Twitter is ruining relationships by not allowing couples to communicate clearly.

The writer used emails as an example of a form of communication that creates confusion through misinterpretation. The general consensus was that women over think too much when it comes to online communication while men don’t think enough. I started to agree with the article to an extent (especially the one about Twitter) but eventually realized the article relies too heavily on the stereotype that women are too worrisome and emotionally invested while men just float through life in a perpetual state of “Huh?”

But there are some simple dos and don’ts that couples need to remember when it comes to communicating online. Here are few quick tips:

Texting
Texting is best when it’s used for its original intention — to quickly inform someone of bite sized information. Anything beyond this is bad, bad, bad. Just avoid it.

Email
There’s this thing at work my boss does when she asks us if we called someone. The conversation will go something like this:

Boss: “Did you call XYZ?”
Employee: “Yes.”
Boss: “Did you actually call them or email them?”
Employee: “Um…emailed.”

If you can have the conversation over the phone, then just call them.

Twitter
What people need to realize about Twitter is that its charm lies within its light-heartedness. It’s not something you’re supposed to take too seriously. Anything that doesn’t skim the surface of superficiality doesn’t belong here. Take it elsewhere.

Facebook
Changing your relationship status does not end a relationship. Be an adult and end it face-to-face.