I’m sure I’ve previously mentioned that I have discerning taste. Or, at least if I haven’t alluded to it, I’m sure you’ve come to that conclusion yourselves… having committed my blog posts to memory (as you have most certainly done)!
Well, today I have to confess to a slight double standard. I know, I know… you can’t believe what I’m telling you, but alas… it’s true.
But before I ‘fess-up’ I need to give you a bit of context…
Years ago I tried internet dating. I mean, didn’t we all? What’s that you say, ‘No?’
Oh okay, so maybe it was just me and some of my friends. And while they’ve had some success (long term relationships, marriage and the like), I pretty much crashed and burned. (And yes, I know – yet again – you are shocked to the core!)
Anyhoo, there were a number of things which drove me to distraction during that period. In fact, somewhere in the bowels of my computer I have several draft posts:
- An idiot’s guide to speed dating
- Ten things not to include in your online profile (etc etc)
And while I may well sound like a bit of an expert, again you’ll be shocked to know that my friends had to beat me around the head to even try these options. I suspect that when I hit 35 I finally realised that the man of my dreams (aka Prince Charming, or… you know… Richard Armitage) was not about to throw himself in my path, which is when I finally succumbed to these 21st century dating rituals.
My friends also felt compelled to lecture me about my (seemingly!) judgemental attitude to the whole thing. (Of course at that stage I didn’t know I’d still be single in my 40s or I might have lowered my standards a little. Joking. Mostly!)
As a result, they made me DELETE the line in my RSVP profile which made some scathing comment about men with spelling mistakes and typos in their own profiles (a perfectly legitimate expectation I would think). They did, however, allow me to keep the line about how much I hated those who used ‘try-hard’ (aka tragic) abbreviations: LOL and the like.
Yes, yes…. those who know me from my diet blog know that I use WTF in almost every post. Similarly, I drop FFS in there quite a bit, and OMFG along with TFIF when appropriate! All worthy and deserving acronyms. I think.
But in the early-mid 2000s when LOL first appeared in force, the people who used it – along with smiley faces (DO NOT GET ME STARTED!) were the type like our then secretary at work… who also used little hearts to dot her i’s. (Yes I know it’s not possessive, but otherwise it would look like ‘is’. FFS!)
So back then the cutesy acronyms had VERY negative connotations for me. I imagined all users to be well-versed in twee abbreviations from years of newspaper classifieds about NS SWF and the like and to essentially be the Australian equivalent to US trailer park trash.
Am I a judgemental bitch? Um…. sometimes!
I was reminded of all of this when my mother sent me a clipping featuring some shopping bags. She thought they would appeal, as a reader of my diet blog and regularly subjected to my favourite acronyms. (She is obviously unaware of my LOL-issues!)
While I think the bags are kinda cute, my LOL prejudice will probably preclude me from purchasing one at this point in time.
Of course, now LOL is oft-used, along with ROTFL and those (obviously more-tasteful) acronyms more favoured by myself. I still refuse to use the former… though have partaken in a smiley-face on occasions – ONLY to ensure someone knows I’m joking, than any smiley-face passion.
So – perhaps it’s a double standard to which I’m confessing; or just an acronym hierarchy which makes sense only to me. (Like my colleague who believes The Biggest Loser is quality fly-on-the-wall TV, but thinks Excess Baggage is reality television at its worst!)
Do others have similar quirks and prejudices I wonder?
February 28, 2012
As an early adopter of internet dating (back in 1994 LOL [heh]) and as someone who actually met the man of her dreams that way (in 1994 LOL [heh]), I do admit to having similar quirks…and double standards, but whatever.
I am not sure when you first started reading my blog, but I did a series on “how I learned to love,” which outlines how it all came to pass.
Oh, and I had to look up some of your TLAs to figure out what they mean!
February 28, 2012
Karen… I had to look up TLA! I wondered if there was a word for the acronyms / abbreviations!
I possibly made up FFS, because sadly it’s something I say (in full) in my head CONSTANTLY. (I am an impatient thing!) I did actually google the ‘LOL’ phrase to see if I could find out where it came from and – alas – wikipedia wasn’t of much help!
Thanks for the heads-up. I will go back and read some of your old blog posts!
Deb
February 28, 2012
TLA = three-letter acronym tee hee!
February 29, 2012
So I am now officially self conscious about all the times I’ve dropped a smiley in your comment box :p.
Actually, no, I’m not. So don’t worry. Or maybe do worry that going to continue.
I’m with you on the LOL though. I use it now, but it took me a long time to warm up to it.
March 1, 2012
Deb, I was cleaning out emails in preparation for the new job, and happened across some from you…. Can I say there was a 🙂 or two in there…. however, probably totally appropriate given the need for light relief in that office!! And here is my favourite one – for those older people amongst us – ROFLCGU – ROFL can’t get up!
March 1, 2012
Hi Helena… I forgot you were moving on! I think I was more averse to smiley faces and LOLs in the mid 2000s than I am now! Definitely hadn’t heard of ROFLCGU (even more important for we oldies… who sometimes literally can’t!).
Deb
March 2, 2012
ha ha like a turtle on it’s back
March 2, 2012
Yep… stuck there. Big time!
March 2, 2012
TGIF 🙂
March 2, 2012
Ha! Absolutely!
March 2, 2012
I can’t stand LOL. It makes me so angry. As if anyone actually laughs out loud, and the way it sounds phonetically just ticks me off.
I do use the smiley faces though. Not cause I’m addicted to them, but so eat people know I’m saying things in a jokey/happy way. It’s kind of necessary when you’re often sarcastic.
March 2, 2012
Yes, I’m the same on the smiley-faces front. And sometimes I’m just lazy, so if someone tweets something sad, I’ll send back a 🙁 rather than have to think of something supportive to say!!!
I’m also yet to use LOL…
Deb
March 2, 2012
It took a long time for my inner pedant to accept the use of acronyms. Twitter and it’s debilitating 140 character limit eventually forced my hand and now I am excitedly waiting for the day when I can casually plop ROFLSHIHTBST (rolling on the floor laughing so hard I have tears but still typing) into a comment. Actually, I think that day is now! Loved your blog and found it via Where’s My Glow?.
March 2, 2012
Thanks Misha and I noticed your comment on my diet blog as well (I left a response). I also commented on your ‘brain squatters’ post cos I could SO relate!
PS. That must be the LONGEST acronym I’ve ever seen!
Deb