Instant messaging, or internet chat, has become a popular mode of communication in recent years, and it will likely continue to gain popularity in the years to come. It is simple to chat with people anywhere in the world using the internet. There are various uses for this innovative form of conversation. You can build business relationships, look for romance, create new friendships or continue old ones, stay in touch family, etc. Your screen name is the name that you will be identified by when you communicate through online chat, so choose a name that you would want to be recognized by. If you plan on using the screen name for business purposes, you shouldn't have a screen name like BeerDrinker01. Keep it professional, such as your first name followed by a few numbers.
When you communicate using internet chat, keep in mind that you cannot be certain that you are having an entirely private conversation. You may be typing to one person, but there could be five people looking at the recipient's screen. The bottom line is that you don't want to say anything that you will regret saying. In a business situation, you should not exchange any confidential information via an internet chat session. These discussions should be reserved for the telephone, or face-to-face interactions. You also don't want to run the risk of chatting about the negative qualities of your fellow employees, because if they happen to pass by, they could easily catch a glimpse of your online banter. Professionalism is a must for business chat on the internet.
If you are trying to make friends using the internet, make sure that you understand that there are some inherent risks. You can never be sure that people who you are meeting through internet chat rooms are who they say they are. There are lots of liars in the world, who thrive on manipulating naive internet users. There is nothing wrong with chatting online with someone, but if that chatting leads to an invitation to meet in person, then you have to take the proper precautions. Meet in a public place, and bring a friend along with you for additional safety. If the person has misrepresented himself, then get out of the situation fast. Never ever give your address or work address to someone that you meet on the internet. Making friends online can be easier for some people than making friends in the real world because you don't have the same social anxieties plaguing you. You will be able to contemplate your responses more carefully than you can with a face-to-face meeting, and many people feel that they can be more open and honest when they chat online.
There are many love connections made on the internet. My sister-in-law married a man from the military who she met through an internet dating service. Unfortunately, there are a plethora of perverts that use the internet to hunt for unknowing singles to take advantage of. Don't get too wrapped up in a romantic relationship that seems a little questionable. If the person refuses to send a picture, they might have something to hide. Perhaps they are not the person that they claimed to be. Internet chat rooms and dating services will sometimes let you browse through a directory of singles in your area, and they will have profiles on each person, with information such as their age, educational background, ambitions, etc. There are also many services that include a picture with each profile. Using the internet, you can search for the qualities that you desire most from a companion, and your dating pool is much larger than it is at a local bar or club! Just like meeting an internet friend, when you opt to meet a potential romantic interest from the internet, make sure you go to a public place and bring a friend... better safe than sorry!
Long distance telephone calls can really add up, especially if you have lots of friends and family members that live far away! Internet chat can be a great way to keep in touch without breaking the bank. It doesn't cost any more to talk online to someone in your living room than it does to talk to someone in China! Set up an internet chat date with your friends or family members. You can make a private chat room to meet up with friends, such as your three best girlfriends from high school. If you have to break an internet date, send an e-mail. Chatting online is simple. You could easily teach your mother how to use e-mail and online chat, and she will love being able to use this modern method of communication with you!
Online chat has developed some of its own slang. Here are a few examples for you to try out:
LOL= laughing out loud
ROFL= rolling on the floor laughing
BRB= be right back
:-) = a smile
:-* = a kiss
A/S/L = age/sex/location
Enjoy your online chats, and please always be safe! Remember, you should never give out personal information, such as a social security or bank account number. No company will ever request personal information from you through internet chat, so do not be fooled by the con artists out there! Good luck!
