My GF and I had to stop using Instant Messenger. On more than one occasion things escalated way beyond anything intended. The written word, without audible tone of voice, or body language, was easily misunderstood by both of us. Light hearted things (or typos) got misinterpreted as snipes, and next thing you know we are in a full blown nuclear meltdown. We finally just both agreed to quit using it.
We rely so greatly on visual feed back and vocal intonation that writing is so perilous. When I was working, all letters went into a drawer and later a saved computer folder to sit before sending. I got in the same habit with emails. This instant stuff is hard to do that.

!

probably...
