11 Do’s and Don’ts of Texting in Early Dating

Texting is often the most challenging form of communication, especially when you're just getting to know someone. 

You need to remind yourself that both of you are strangers, unaware of each other's schedules, priorities, or mental headspace. 

To help navigate this delicate phase, here are 11 dating etiquette

1. If preoccupied and can’t respond:
   Avoid reading the text if you know you won’t be able to reply right away.
   
   Instead, bookmark it or mark it as unread to remind yourself to respond later. This prevents the other person from feeling ignored if they see you’ve read their message but haven’t replied.

   
   

2. If you read the message and are busy:
   Acknowledge their message and let them know you’re busy. For example:
   "It’s great to hear from you! I’m a bit tied up at the moment, but I’ll reach out after 8 pm. Does that work for you?"
   By asking a question, you show respect for their time and keep the conversation open.

   
   

3. Show interest:
   Asking "How are you?" or "How’s your day going?" is a simple but meaningful way to show you care. Take the time to read their response and build the conversation from there. This makes the other person feel heard and valued.

   
   

4. Don’t assume availability:
   Avoid assuming the other person is free just because you are. For example, instead of saying, "Hey, I’m driving and available, want to jump on a call?" plan ahead. Ask for their availability in advance:
   "I’d love to chat. Would you be free for a quick call later today or tomorrow?"
   This approach is more inclusive and respectful of their schedule.

   
   

5. Respect response times: Avoid double-texting or following up too quickly if they haven’t responded. People have different texting habits, and patience shows maturity. If it’s urgent or time-sensitive, acknowledge it with: "No rush, but just wanted to check in about [specific thing]."

   
   

6. Be mindful of tone: Texting lacks tone, so avoid sarcasm or jokes that could be misinterpreted early on. Use emojis sparingly to convey warmth or humour, but don’t overdo it.

   
   

7. Avoid over-texting: In the early stages, keep texts balanced. If you’re sending long paragraphs, it might feel overwhelming. Match their energy and length of messages.

   
   

8. Use voice notes sparingly: Voice notes can be a nice way to add personality, but ask if they’re okay with them first. Some people prefer reading texts over listening to audio.

   
   

9. Ask open-ended questions: Instead of yes/no questions, ask things that invite them to share more about themselves. Example: "What’s something you’re really passionate about?" or "What’s the best part of your week been so far?"

Pro tip: when responding to their questions or comments, avoid one-word replies yourself. Instead, elaborate and share a bit more to keep the dialogue engaging and meaningful. For example, instead of just saying "Good," try "It’s been a great day! I finally finished that project I’ve been working on, how about you?"

10. Don’t overanalyze texts: Early dating can make people overthink every word. Remember, texting is just a tool for communication—don’t read too much into response times or word choices.

    
    

11. Respect boundaries: If they seem distant or less responsive, don’t push. They might be busy, stressed, or not as interested. Give them space and focus on your own life.

And despite these efforts If someone stops responding, don’t take it personally not every connection will work out.

Please do not forget that texting is only one part of getting to know someone. The goal is to move from texting to a phone or video call, and eventually to an in-person meeting.

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