DEAR MISS MANNERS: I shared a cute photo of my daughter with several other mothers by creating a group text. It was a single picture of my daughter, not a mile-long text exchange.
One of the mothers texted me separately not to include her in a text chain with people she does not know, and then exited the group.
Is it bad text etiquette to do this in general?
GENTLE READER: Group texts without prior consent are a violation and they must be stopped. They are not only confusing, what with their rampant, nameless phone numbers, but can also easily be abused with product solicitations (Girl Scout cookies, anyone?) or other fundraising schemes.
That mother was wise to get out early.
You will rarely find Miss Manners touting the advantages of social media, but at least its participation is voluntary. Yours is a case when it would have been ideal. If you simply must share that cute picture of your daughter, do so there — where friends, family and strangers alike can comment to their hearts’ desire. Without having to gain 372,486 new anonymous friends.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, [email protected]; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
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