Certain Typing Habits

[Duelist925]

This isn't directed at any one poster here, but it's something I see here that just makes me twitch everytime I see it.

When people type like this??? and use multiple question marks??? for emphasis??? every few sentences ???

Just...makes me...twitch. >.< In my personal little dantes circle of abuses of the english language, it ranks as just barely better than useing "u" and "r" when you mean you and are.

Just...*twitch*

Again, not targeting anyone specific, just a little thing that gets under my skin.

[TheHuckster]

I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've done that, and it's usually under extreme circumstances, like talking down to a 12 year old who him/herself uses 10 question marks during some inane argument.

As some of you may have already picked up on, I tend to use italics a lot when emphasizing words, but I've sort of been trying to cut down on that, and only do so when it's truly necessary.

[bex1218]

It takes too much effort to do multiple question marks. Well, not really, if I'm on the computer. I am guilty with multiple exclamation points at times. But thats typically when im excited about something.

[MadMike]

I do it myself once in awhile, but very rarely, and when I'm expressing disbelief. In fact, just a few minutes ago, I banned a spammer who had posted 28 messages of the same bullshit. He probably won't see the ban reason, but if he does, it asks, "Are you fucking kidding me???"

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

There is a time and a place for it. Generally speaking I only tend to use multiple punctuation when there is a reason. Something I'm trying to convey in text that is usually best read from tone and facial expression.

So as MadMike put it..."Are you fucking kidding me???" fits as it's a way of trying to express total disbelief. One could add to that a "?!?!?" which indicates not only disbelief, but surprise and/or anger (or other strong declarative emotion).

But yes, the people who can't ask a question on Yahoo Answers without a bazillion and one question marks is annoying.

[Nekojin]

It's punctuation spamming, and it's pretty much the same as ellipsis spamming or smiley abuse. People who do it should be forced to wear thick woolen mittens - the kind where you only have one pocket for the fingers, not separate fingers - for a month.

[crashhelmet]

I do it and unless I get a message from a mod saying to stop, I won't.

It is so easy to take what we say out of context when we post in a forum like this or even in texting between people. Punctuation, bolds, underlines, italics, anything to show stress and/or emphasis is vital. We speak with emotion. Our writings should do the same.

I will say, however, that people that abuse it to be funny like alternating exclamation points, number ones, and even the word one need to be stopped.

[Nekojin]

I use bold, italics, and brief usage of all-caps words in order to make emphasis, as you say, in order to provide a visual representation of my choice of inflection and word stress. Punctuation spamming, too, can be acceptable if it's brief and occasional. But when someone's ending every sentence with a barrage of question marks or exclamation points, it's spamming.

[Duelist925]

I pretty much agree with Neko. There are other ways to put emphasis into ones question--while it doesn't much bother me if its done, say, once or thereabouts in an argument, or just not abused to hell, the sheer amount I see it, here and elsewhere, gets me twitchy.