Since so many of us (I'm not excluding myself necessarily) find it difficult to negotiate the complicated waters of two dimensional communication, I decided that I would work on a lexicon for all my friends, family (once I've figured out what that means here), and those with whom I attempt to strike up a conversation. I'll be adding entries as the need arises. Eventually, I'll bring some order to the presentation.
1. "I'd like to get to know you": This phrase is not an umtimely reference to the lyrics of a bad 60s folk tune. When I use the phrase it means that I would like to take the time to find out who you are. The key element is time spent. Of course, there is no way to measure the appropriate amount of time required to get to know you. Please note: the phrase does not mean: I'd like to meet you in a sleezy motel room, have sex with you for a few hours, and then disappear. If I were to want such things, I'd just say "I'd like to meet you in a sleezy. . . etc.
2. "Wanna chat sometime": Look, I didn't come of age in the last decade. When I was working through my 20s, cell phones were the size of watermelons (not the shape, but definitely the same atomic weight). So, when I ask if you'd like to chat, that generally means: "would you mind if I gave you a call sometime". Again, there is no objective timeline here. However, I usually don't utter this phrase until we've corresponded (see, there's a baby boomer term for ya) enough to see if we might like one another well enough to actually send vocal sounds in each other's direction.