If you ask any online bingo enthusiast why they play bingo, they’ll give you the usual answers: It’s fun, it’s fabulous, it’s great networking and socializing, and, of course, there’s the chance to win plenty of cash. At the core of online bingo is its socializing element and the bingo chat room is at the heart of that element. If you’re new to online bingo and you’re looking to chat as well as play bingo games, then you should take note of the etiquette that goes with the territory.
Have you ever walked into a room full of strangers and just started shouting at them at the top of your voice? We’re assuming that you haven’t, and that if you have then it was the side effects of some medication that induced a psychotic episode. The reason the question is asked is because new internet users and online bingo players very often make that key mistake. They enter bingo chat rooms and are UNAWARE THAT USING ALL CAPS is like using a raised voice. In bingo there is an additional reason for not using all caps and that’s because in most chat rooms, the bingo Chat Master uses capitals to distinguish themselves from regular bingo players. If you use capitals, it will be rude and it will be confusing to other bingo players. The Chat Master may also use a particular font colour to differentiate themselves from other players, so make sure that your font colour is anything but that used by the bingo Chat Master.
The other most basic and obvious etiquette rule when playing bingo is not to be rude to other players. Everyone is in the bingo chat room to have fun and you will soon wear out your welcome if you are disrespectful, abusive or aggressive. An important fact to remember is that what you might find funny, someone else might find insulting. So be sure your humour is not racist, sexist or offensive. If you find someone who shares your sense of humour, then have a private chat if you feel others may be offended by your conversation.
Another important point to consider is that what you say in text can easily be misread by your online bingo friends. When we chat face to face there are many non-verbal cues that help to convey meaning. Facial expressions can tell us if someone is angry, or making a joke. In bingo chat rooms you can use smiley faces such as ? or other symbols and abbreviations to better convey the tone of what you are saying.
By obeying a few rules you’ll soon be making bingo friends and chatting up a storm.
