Remember the episode of “Sex and the City” where Carrie Bradshaw’s boyfriend broke up with her in a, shall we say, unique way?
“He broke up with me on a post it note!” cried Carrie to her friend Miranda.
We were aghast! How low! Couldn’t he at least have had the decency to do the dirty deed by cell phone or at least email?!
Granted no breakup is ever easy. Face-to-face confrontation is hard. We have an abhorrence of scenes, shouting, crying, etc. But simply because you did have a relationship you should have some respect for what you had and at least break up in person if possible.
Yet people have been breaking up through the written word since the time of the Civil War. Women did it through the infamous “Dear John” letters. Men were known for writing the “Dearest” letters. No matter how kindly the words were written, both types of letters brought an abrupt end to relationships.
There seems to be no specific protocol for breaking up in the twenty-first century. Since we’re constantly on the move and busy with our hectic lives, breakups seem to be managed without any personal contact, or feelings, at all. Nothing kind or flowery about the sentiment; just a brief message using electronic devices.
Email was, and is still, a standard way to break up, but the favored current trend is to do it via the text message. Now an email breakup is bad enough, but a text message? That is taking it a bit far.
My friend received one when she was on the treadmill at the gym. Her text alert went off, she checked her messages, and there it was-a brief, to the point, “text spelled” adios:
“we r not meant 2 b 2gether, not u, it’s me”
That’s to the point alright!
If you have ever experienced an email or test message breakup, I’d like to hear from you. Please email me at:kch@kristenhoughton.com
I’ll post your reaction and how you handled it in a future column.
Oops-got to go.
My text alert just buzzed!
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