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Many Will Say 'I <3 U' Via Text Message On Valentine's Day

Tribune photo by TODD L. CHAPPEL

AT&T expects text messaging will increase by 36 percent on Valentine's Day.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 11, 2009

Updated: 02/11/2009 03:00 pm

Many Will Send Valentine's Love Via Text Message

By KEITH MORELLI
kmorelli@tampatrib.com
U R 2GTBT
For those unfamiliar with the language of texting, that little ditty (you are too good to be true) may be among the most passed back and forth this Valentine's Day, as electronic love notes inch toward taking the place of poetry on restaurant napkins and amorous letters from distant lovers.
Last year, AT&T reported that text messaging spiked by 33 percent on Feb. 13 and 14. That's a lot of AMLs (all my love) passed back and forth and propositions for D8s (dates).
A recent survey by the telephone and communications giant says that this year, an increase of 36 percent is expected for QTs (cuties) who will send either text messages or text photos to paramours for Valentine's Day.
Still, there's something to be said for old habits. About 67 percent surveyed planned to send a traditional card.
The survey also said that of those planning to send lovey-dovey texts like H2CUS (hope to see you soon) on Valentine's Day, two out of every three will send their messages to someone with whom they're in a relationship while that third person will text a friend or family member.
Nearly half of those who plan to text say they will text five or more Valentine's Day messages.
The survey also said that:
48 percent of the texters polled feel that getting a romantic message on Valentine's Day will have the same or more meaning than a card
68 percent feel that receiving a Valentine's Day photo message means as much or more than a card
67 percent have used text messaging, like URH (you are hot) to flirt
84 percent think that text messages, like FTBOMH (from the bottom of my heart), can sometimes be misunderstood
58 percent admit to sometimes showing a friend a received text message from a love interest to get a second opinion on what it actually means
"Text messaging is growing in popularity," said Kelly Starling, spokeswoman for AT&T, "particularly among younger people. It's actually preferred. It's quick and easy and discrete."
She said the texting phenomenon actually began with the reality television show "American Idol" during the first season, where viewers sent their votes via text messages. Starling said that the first season, AT&T logged some 7 million messages to "American Idol."
Last year, the show spawned 80 million "American Idol" text votes, she said.
"That show," she said, "really did spur interest nationwide in text messages. People who didn't know how to text message learned."
She said that over the past few years, parents have learned to text to reach their children, who often would ignore phone calls if they saw that their parents were calling.
"Parents found that their kids were more responsible when they text-messaged them," Starling said.
The survey was conducted two weeks ago and involved 1,002 people over 18 who owned mobile phones.
Elizabeth Bird, an anthropology professor at the University of South Florida, said texting is commonplace and gaining momentum.
"I think it's absolutely the dominant way of communication now among teens and people into their 20s," she said. It's more popular than telephone calls and e-mail. She said teens view e-mail as, "an older person's way of communicating."
Texting, she said, "is ubiquitous; they use it constantly."
Even during her classes, she said.
Bird surveyed about 800 students in several anthropology courses last year and found that 80 percent said they had used their cell phones in class to send e-mails, surf the Web and send text messages.
Is texting good or bad? Bird said it's hard to say. It's just different.
"In some ways it increases a sense of community and communication," she said. "That's probably good. On the down side to me is the fact you are constantly in communication. You are never alone in your thoughts."
Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

Courtesy of the Gizmodo Web site, here is a list of some text phrases that may burn up cyberspace over the next few days:
4EAE (Forever and ever)
4U (For you)
GNSD (Good night, sweet dreams)
ILU (I love you)
IMU (I miss you)
ISLY (I still love you)
IWALU (I will always love you)
KOTC (Kiss on the cheek)
KOTL (Kiss on the lips)
MUSM (Miss you so much)
QT (Cutie)
TY (Thank you)
TOY (Thinking of you)
URH (You are hot)
UW (You're welcome)
XOXOXO (Hugs and kisses)

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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