Well, I thought it was only her - that is, until I was on facebook a couple of days later and read something my grown niece had commented on, and in her comment she used "lol." Again, no big deal. Mmm, maybe not. Her teenage daughter commented right after that and said, "Mom, ewww. Don't use lol. It's creepy."
So, that got me thinking. Are moms (and dads) just not supposed to use lol . . . ever?? And why is it creepy when we do use it? And is it only creepy to our children, or is it creepy to everybody? And if lol is taboo, what other little texting/facebook language rules are there for parents? Is there a manual? Can I use ROTFL? How about WTS? DWL? EL? GFETE? And why is there a shortcut for "curly lips" - - :3 ?? Who would ever use that?? And why??So confusing. Maybe I should stick to the telephone where I can actually laugh out loud and it's not creepy. Ah, well. The only thing I know for sure is that I will never ever use lol on facebook or texting again. Out of respect for my daughter, the marching drummer.
TTFN
It's a parent thing. And it's only creepy to parents' kids. - IMO ;)
ReplyDeleteI have to admit to a certain amount of discomfort that my mom is mastering emoticons and the art of LOLing. I don't know why. It's like the time I saw my mom do a cartwheel when I was 4. It was just so out of context and unseemly. Mostly I object to the whole LOL thing anyway and never use it myself. It's a personal preference and I prefer words to acronyms. I think it may be because I'm a bit of an old fart.
ReplyDeleteI think it's just because you are such a great writer! I try to stay away from those acronyms. But, alas, the first time I do use one, I get busted!
DeleteI'm kind of with TLou on this--it doesn't bother me when anyone else uses it, but I can't even MAKE myself use it when I try. I do have a terrible weakness for the emoticon thing, though--it's a useful shorthand, but I do it so much, especially when texting, that it's almost automatic to end a text with a smiley even when a smiley is not at all appropriate.
DeleteWho know the "rules" got more complicated as you get older and not less?
I am glad to have read this.. I use smilies all the time... but this is, for a mother, a very informative post !
ReplyDeletemight not be able to leave comments often in next few days
off on a holiday to washington dc and albabama ! hope the temperatures will be higher there than here ! :-) ;-) in Belgium!
Anni, we'll miss you but hope you have a great time in DC and 'bama!
DeleteAt first I thought it was just a kid/mom thing, as you have all said, but then my suspicious mind kicked in and I am now wondering if "lol" has morphed into an acronym for something else...which the kids don't want us old folks using...I will check with my 16 year old niece and let you know if I gain any teenaged intel! And by the way, I am creeped out withe the <3 hearts everywhere - they look like boobs to me...just sayin'
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Sarah! They DO look like boobs - - ewww!
DeleteGlad I could give you that little visual Judy ... I'm kind like that. Anyway. my niece reports back that LOL is used more for "lots of love" than "laugh out loud" but nothing more interesting than that. Dang! I thought I was on to something there! ;-)
DeleteIt's creepy. It's so creepy I have avowed to write my mother's comments and messages for her. It's just *shudders* creepy.
ReplyDeleteLarissa - - you and my daughter would be good friends!
DeleteI will never forget the look on my kids' faces when we stopped at a quick market and I was going to run in for just a minute, leaving them in the car......I laughingly said brb.......I thought they were going to explode, they were so amazed to even think that I knew what I was saying; I have no problem with lol or some of the other shortcuts, but I agree with my sister Becki that omg should actually be spelled out; after all I am saying Oh my goodness!, but other people use the phrase differently. Judy, you should use what you want, after all, you are marching to a different drummer.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, Collie - I feel a little weird using lol !!!
DeleteLOL. One of the best things about facebook etc. is the opportunity to creep out my children. It's also a way to show the world how hip and cool I can be. My mom says 'cool' and it sounds so weird every time she says it.
ReplyDeleteMy story is a sad one. When my son kept using lol, I finally asked why he kept referencing "little old ladies." The sad part is I was serious. It's the attempt at communication that we need to keep in perspective here.
ReplyDeleteSounds like my daughter! Thank you for making me laugh tonight...LOL
ReplyDeleteI just asked my daughter if it was okay if I say lol, and she said no, it freaks her out when adults do it.
ReplyDeleteLOL ..
ReplyDeleteMy mom recently said OMG and I cracked up. Not audibly of course - LOL - but who knew she even KNEW the expression?! It was kinda weird I must admit.
ReplyDelete