What is Chat Etiquette?

Question

• You aren't talking to other computers; you are talking to real, live people with feelings, moods, and interests who happen to be communicating via computers.
• Remember that not everyone is chatting in one room only.
• Picture yourself entering into a group of people  from all over the world, with varying ages and backgrounds, and act accordingly. You might greet  the group, you might watch quietly at first from the sidelines to determine the tone of the group.  After watching for a few minutes, you may find that this isn't the kind of group you like....  and that's ok. There are plenty of other groups you can choose from; just leave as politely as you arrived.
• n the same time zone you are, and that your native language may not be the primary language of everyone in the chatroom.
• Don't worry about correcting typos .  They are expected, and can actually be a GREAT source of laughter for everyone (be sure you share in the laughter).
• Flirting is fine when you are with an appropriate group. Outright sexual comments and/or requests are NOT ok unless in a room designed for such.
•  As in real life, some people will be rude or offensive.  Humour works better at diffusing potential problems than anger does.  Ignoring them works even better.  Anger on-line is a waste of energy.
•  Most chatters are nice. Ask if you have questions( and watch for   their replies)
•  It is very helpful to address your comments (in typing) to the specific recipient if there is one. For example:  Gemini<or whatever the chatter's nickname is>, where did you say you were from?"
•  It's perfectly ok to shorten somebody's chatting nickname when you're "talking" to them. but a little tip is type the first letter or 2 letters of their nick and hit the "tab" key this will complete the nick for you if you are on a client  like mirc
• Ignore all those stories about masquerading as someone else on line... and just be yourself!  You'll have a great deal more fun, find better friends, and not irritate the heck out of people when you're "found out" (which you will be eventually - trust me. Experienced chatters can almost always sense "fakes")
• Just remeber chatrooms are for fun and laughs and supposed to relieve tension not to come into and start arguing and fighting with ppl you want to do that turn yur computer off and go outside and play ;D
• Offensive, racist, harassing behavior including personal attacks and/or threats.
• In most general  chatrooms, this type of behaviour will result in your being removed from the chat, for a short time or indefinitely
• Typing in all CAPITAL LETTERS. This is considered "yelling" and rude.
• Chat in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS is difficult to read, and makes the   screen scroll too fast.
• There is no quicker way to announce that you're a NEWBIE   CHATTER than to use all capital letters!
•  Rudeness. Play nice, and remember that one of the chatters may  be your next door neighbour!
• Whining that no one will "talk" to you.
• If you are interesting and join in the conversation, you will be included.
• The same concept applies to complaints that the room or the chatters are "boring".
•  Posing as another chatter. Duplication of common nicknames occur.. but the deliberate act of being an imposter is considered... well... almost a violation of privacy.  Don't do it.
• Just as you meet people in the real world, you can make friends in the virtual world. Some people have even met their future husbands and wives through chat, but there are a few things you should be aware of. People can, and do, pretend to be anything they want on the Internet, so you have no real guarantees that your cyberfriend is who they say they are. You're gorgeous hunk of A 21yr old b/f may just turn out to be a 60 yr old :) (Read the poem on the front page it says it all }
•  Dealing with Offensive Chatters, People tend to be a lot braver online than in person and a lot braver can mean being more aggressive or just stupid. If you have a disagreement with someone or someone has just picked you out of the crowd and decided you are "Todays plaything" do the sensible thing and use the /ignore nick feature, its why its there and its the best way . If you retaliate its exactly what they want someone who "bites" if you dont then they get bored and stop.If the room is being moderated by a chanop they will put a stop to it let the brave person take the ban for being an idiot dont fight back and end up banned yourself.