Does using complete sentences make me retarded?

Silver Adept · Otaku Lord Age: 42 Gender: Joined: 20 May 2003

(Strong Language Warning, potentially even for the Soapbox. If it offends, avert thine eyes.)

So I was playing Gunbound with El Shino today and some particularly cheeky child (and there's no doubt it was anything other than a child) took offense at my habit of using complete sentences, good grammar and decent spelling (hey, I get typos all the time) in the game. Apparently, I pissed him off pretty good by doing it. He started by calling me a n00b, I think, and then progressed onward to such useful designations as time-waster, bastard, douche bag, retard, and a host of others that I don't care to recall or can't remember at the moment.

And what's even better, he calls up one of his cronies to call me a retard using the person-to-person chat. (I suspect it may have been an alternate sign-in.) Shino was there for the original burst, he's welcome to add details to the situation if I'm misrepresenting them.

Now, I would normally have given him the flying boot (as I was in charge of the room), but Gunbound won't let you do it in the game. (probably for fear of abuse of that power) However, I do belive that my team 0wned him pretty good. Even if we didn't, I'm going to think we did.

The best part of this conversation is that he claims that my usage of sentence structure and grammar is going to get my account hacked. Why anyone would do something like that is beyond my capabilites to understand at the moment.

Finally getting to the part where I blast superheated steam, What The HELL is wrong with this kid? So what if a large part of the community there chooses to use chatspeak? If I want to be complete and coherent, that's my prerogative. I don't understand the "Yeah, I use complete sentences, but only in school." perspective. (The kid told me this much, basically.)

I'm sure I'm not supposed to get riled by this kid, that he was just trolling to see who gets a rise out of him, but he touched a sore spot. If you want to be "OMG Lolz!!!!one", fine, but Don't, EVER, tell me that my choice of communication is "retarded". To do that puts the title squarely on your own shoulders.

This is a frustration, because I feel that I have some justification in wanting to whack this kid with the Pointy Stick of Politeness, but I also think that I'm somehow wrong by getting aggravated by him. Game's over, sure, but this frustrates me because I see it as part of a larger social pattern.

Thanks for reading. I just feel caught between breaking small objects and cracking someone's spine in two over this. Thoughts? Opinions?

starlitdancer · Otaku of the Stars in the Sky Gender: Joined: 03 Nov 2003

I don't know much about gaming, honestly, but I'd rather someone use complete sentences and good grammar/spelling as opposed to "leet speak" anywhere online (or offline, for that matter). "Leet speak" is hard to translate.

Azurel · The Bringer of Levels Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

I'm with you on this one, Silver. I may not be knowlegable enough to always use proper grammar, but I tend to hold to it even on IM and whatnot. I've never had someone complain about this, so I can't really feel the same frustration. The kid deserves to die ^^

Reverend · I kin Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 21 Oct 2002

Considering that I write as if I am speaking, and I am told that I speak rather eloquently and with wonderful prose, I see nothing wrong. This is simply where you wish your thesaurus or pocket Shakespeare was handy so as to run vocal rings around your opponent with erudite uses of vocabulary for derogatory meaning.

-OR-

OMG!!joollamaz!

Faye · Luna Sierra Age: 42 Gender: Joined: 28 Apr 2004

I am going to admit that I am guilty of l33t speak and have a tendancy to use it quite often. However I rarley chat or text message so I dont know what Half of the AIM crap means even thought that seems to be all anyone ever uses online anymore. Very rarely do I see people use complete sentences or even proper english for that matter on any online game. I think it is very comendable that you do, but some people (mostly kids) just look for little things to harass people about.

You can't take it personal. You know you are smarter and more mature than whoever that guy was so his opinions dont matter. Because you are going to have people like that on any online games you play.

Therin · Gloompf. Iggle! Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

Tobias · *explodes* Age: 38 Gender: Joined: 17 Jan 2003

Daijaga · Chosen of Luck Gender: Joined: 17 Dec 2003

Its quite possible that I hvae no vices, predjudices, or pet peeves than this which silver speaks of. I HHHAAATTTEEE people who speak like[url=http://ssshotaru.homestead.com/files/aolertranslator.html"]this[/url].

underpants · awesome sauce! Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 07 Jul 2004

I think it's all what you want. Even though I don't know what you guys are saying half the time Wink

I guess I'm not up it. Man that's sad. I'm feeling so old.
Back on topic, my point is that it's whatever you prefer. Just make sure the other person can understand you!! Smile

Shurikane · Dim Panties As String Joined: 24 Sep 2002

I just kill them when they pull that on me.