Do you interpret written words as harsh?

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I sometimes have read teacher replies this semster and think wow that's harsh. I also think more than likely that wasn't the intent and they were just giving you an answer. I question though at times did that teacher mean that in a rude harsh way or just telling me? I can't tell with text. Hell I can hardly tell verbally I interpret some verbal instructions as "a rude tone"

I frequently interpret written words as being "harsh", particularly on the internet. I've also had the misfortune of other people on the internet misinterpreting my written words as being "harsh" even though I did not intend for them to be. I suppose that is one of the few ways that face-to-face interaction is better than online interaction, that is, the ability to tell whether someone is being cross.

It's the same for me. I view words on the Internet as being harsh as well. I try to keep a level head about it. I think the reason that the words on the Internet seem harsh is because they're almost like the written word, exept for the fact that the words are on the screen. The other thing about the Internet is that people see it as a ticket to say whatever they want, without thinking about the vast number of people on the other side of their screen.

It's really hard to interpret things online sometimes. I know people have misinterpreted my tone plenty of times. This is probably why I have the habit of overusing emoticons.

yes, i find written words to be harsh, but perhaps less harsh than spoken ones. i am very auditory-focused, so i will hear nastiness echoing in my head for a very long time afterward.

Yes, I frequently read words as being harsh. Sometimes it is probably my misinterpretation. Other times people speak harshly intentionally.

I would use emoticons more myself, but they make me feel uncomfortable.

Sometimes but I don't take it too seriously or too personal because I could be misunderstanding their tone. They may not be intending to be harsh or critical. Just a few days ago someone here said I was being snotty or whatever and then said to my friend I was playing dumb and using my AS as an excuse to be an ass but I ignored it and am not going to even try and resolve it. It's peoples attitudes I don't like so I don't bother with an apology if they are going to be rude to me and mean. He may have misunderstood my response but he had to be a dick about it and I think he projected his issues onto me. One of my online friends did tell me he may have taken my post as criticism. :shrugs:

I am in no mood for drama so if people wish to try and start fights with me, I will just go to the mods if they broke any rules with their post or if I am not sure they did or not just report it anyway asking if it's an attack. I have dealt with enough crap here over the years.


I remember another time I posted a joke on Facebook and my dad wrote "your gross" and if I didn't know him, I would have thought he was attacking me but knowing him in real life, I knew he meant nothing bad by it. He always talks that way and his tone is not angry when he says it. I remember posting about it here telling anyone how it's a good example to misunderstand someone if you don't know them well. How easy misunderstandings are online because you do not hear their tone, you only go by words on the screen.

Given the very impersonal nature of online communication, it's very easy to misinterpret someone's words online. It is, essentially, nothing more than words on a screen (or paper, as the case may be).

I've had people tell me that I have an edgy writing style. Whenever they read my writing, I may sound a little harsh. I don't intend to be harsh, though, I just tend to make strongly-worded statements. It's just my writing style.

Many times

Two years ago when I first joined another forum, someone gave me a neutral reputation and left a comment saying I needed to work on my tone. I didn't see anything wrong with my tone.

I think emoticons should be used by more people, they are there to compensate for the limitations of the written word after all. How many misunderstandings or even arguments could be avoided by the simple use of a wink or a smiley face?

Written words make up about 7% of communication the other 93% is mostly non verbal communication.
In addition of the meaning of words (multiple meanings for some ) there's a personal connection based on each individuals memory. For example when someone reads or hears the word mother then that triggers thoughts & emotions from personal experience.

So yes it is very fair to say that words can be interpreted as harsh.

Yes, this happens a lot to me. I always make myself wait a while before I respond (to anything actually, not just written posts) because I know my initial interpretation is not always accurate.

On occasion, yes. Diction and syntax.

Yes, I do a lot. Which is in turn why I use a lot of smilies.

And sometimes they confuse me. I am wondering why you are so embarrassed. I see nothing embarrassing about it. I hope that was just an example you were using there.