How many of you strongly dislike when you receive the response “K” from someone via text message? When I see that dreaded letter, AND ONLY that letter, I cringe.
My bestie girl Amy and I have had a long standing hate for the “K” response.
The word “okay” has several different variations. You can simply spell the whole word out (okay), only use the first two letters (ok), use a double (kk) or the dreaded single (k). All of them portray different things. VERY, VERY Different things.
So let’s break this down….
Let’s start with “K” since that is what got me going on this topic. And I would like to remind you, this is just my take on it….
“K” comes across as dismissive. It has an underlying meaning that you don’t want to talk anymore. Conversation = OVER. And to be honest, if you absentmindedly send a “k” to someone who understands the meaning or feels this same way, their heart will sink into their tummy and they will internally be saying “wtf”. A single “k” is a very cold response, cuts deep to the core and if you receive a period at the end of that “k”…oh boy!!!
“Ok” portrays a lighter and more friendlier response. I find myself using “Ok” often in a work setting or as a sign of confirmation.. However if you ask my friend Heather about the response “Ok” - she would tell you she hates it because in her experience she receives the “ok” as a means of sarcasm and purposely to annoy her.
The double “KK” to me is the closest to “gotcha” or meaning “messaged received”, “roger that”. I find myself responding with “kk” in scenarios like “I am on my way” - “kk”. Pure acknowledgement, nothing negative, nothing to see here - we are good.
And lastly “okay”. “Okay” is more formal and used to ensure there is no negativity behind the word. If you think about it, “okay” takes the longest to type out so it shows respect and certainty with no hidden meaning behind it (by having to type those extra letters). It is the safest choice if you ask me.
A very good friend of mine and I have this understanding of the word “K” and how it should never be used. We even have an understanding of when it is appropriate to use “ok” and “okay”.
I was curious if others feel the same as we do….so I asked around this week and here’s what I got:
“It’s rude.”
“It's dismissive.”
“It's like the sender doesn't want to be bothered answering your question or responding to your statement.”
“It immediately ends a conversation.”
“It needs to die.” (hahahaha I secretly giggled at that one)
So I am curious…and now I am asking you…
Tell me…what does the “K” word do to you?
💯 agree also the thumbs up 👍 can also be very dismissive and cold.
I agree that by not using the entire word you are being dismissive and rude. Why even answer if you cannot give a complete word?