About Last Night's Text...

You should think twice before sending a text to your ex--or your soon-to-be ex!

By Anna David

It seemed like such a good idea at the time. You were thinking of him and wanted him to know it. Even those of us who don't drink anymore have been guilty of sending a text to an ex or a soon-to-be ex that we later regretted.

Now, I hate to be a dream-squasher, but let me just say that these are never--let me repeat never--a good idea. Take it from John Redman, a 27-year-old resident of Los Angeles whose cell phone is packed to the brim with texts from girls that say everything from "I want you" to "I have absolutely no reason to text you right now but I was just thinking about you and your body and it made me smile." It should go without saying that all of these texts were sent post 2 a.m.

According to Redman, the girls who send drunken or suggestive (usually both) texts all fall into the same category--that is, you wouldn't want one of these women to be your girlfriend. And if you're on the receiving end of one of those missives? "If a guy sends a text like that, chances are that he sent it to between three and 10 girls," Redman says. "If he's in that kind of mood, it's just a numbers game."

If you don't believe Redman (and really, who wants to believe that a guy sends lewd texts to up to 10 women at a time?), then take note of the words of etiquette doyenne Emily Post's great-great granddaughter: "It's rare that drunk texting works in your favor," says Anna Post, the author of Emily Post's Wedding Parties: Smart Ideas for Stylish Parties, From Engagement to Reception and Everything In Between.  "Just don't do it! A text is like an e-mail--once it's out there, you can't take it back, and who knows where it might end up!"

While rumors abounded that Samsung had been awarded a patent that allowed people to send a "delete command" to a phone they had already texted, alas, the service doesn't exist yet.

Until something like that becomes available, you should treat your phone like a loaded gun--as in, machinery that should only be operated when you're at your most alert. Otherwise, who knows how many people might be privy to your "romantic" thoughts? Redman, after all, has his after-hours texts (including some that include, um, pictures of naked boobs) saved on his cell, ready to be viewed by anyone he might be dining with.

Still don't think you can stop yourself from contacting him late at night? Try to limit it to verbal communication. After all, whatever you say can't be saved for all eternity. And hey, if all else fails, you can always claim that he's crazy because you never uttered a word of it.