Well...short answer, "yes," at least to some of us, such as myself. I'm not talking about chat, where wildly unconventional abbreviations and "shorthand" are widely used, easily understood and readily accepted; no, I'm talking about email or IM communication between interested parties, who may or may not be on the road to hooking up.
I understand that schools stopped teaching real language skills a very long time ago, but if I were to become involved with a woman, she would almost certainly be of my own generation, and thus would have attended school back when language skills still held an important place in most schools' curriculum. I don't know about you, but these days I am always very pleasantly surprised when someone who writes me actually knows the difference between "there," "their," and "they're," or "your," and "you're." When I was growing up, I was taught that precise speech and writing habits were very important, that they were the signs of an orderly and active mind, and that putting a little effort into things like grammar and spelling would capture the attention of other intelligent, clear-thinking people. Of course this was before I discovered the Internet, Blog-land, chat, et cetera.
Lately, I have been positively inundated with barrages of poorly written and awe-inspiringly misspelled messages from various grammatically-challenged women who, for one reason or another, seem to think we would be a good match. It's obvious that these women haven't taken the time to read my profile, or they would know that I'm not looking to get involved with anyone right now. I'm just hanging out on Match Doctor to chat with good friends and maybe make a few new ones.
I really don't want to start a new relationship right now, although if I were to one day encounter a woman who stimulated my mind and sparked my intellectual interest at least as much as she sparked my other, somewhat less-than-noble interests, I just might reconsider that position. I wouldn't hold my breath on that, though, as I'm still working hard trying to heal masses of scar tissue, some old and some new, and thus am in no shape to give such a paragon of womanhood the devoted attention she would so richly deserve.
I guess what I'm driving at is this...am I the only person left to whom grammer and spelling still matter? Are clarity of thought, speech and writing on the verge of going the way of the dinosaurs? Or are there still others out there who, like me, still think these things are worth even the tiniest shred of effort, who still believe in putting their best foot forward, and who still have faith that it will pay off somewhere down the road?
Anybody who knows me from chat will know that I'm no snob...I will talk to anyone, anywhere, any time, at the drop of a hat. I am a very social and outgoing person, and I'm not fussy about typos, spelling and grammar...after all, in chat almost anything goes when it comes to spelling; I just wish that when some of these ladies email me, they would put a little effort into clarity of thought and language...it would make a much better first impression, believe me! It would also be a tremendous help if they actually read my profile first, so they would know that I'm not looking to get involved right now. Is that too much to ask?
I would like to hear peoples' thoughts on this matter...even if they can't spell worth a darn 
Copy & paste to friend: (Click inside box; Ctrl + C to copy; Ctrl + V to paste)
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read more blogs!
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KallieKo
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May 30 @ 10:48AM
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Amen to that... I couldn't agree with you more. Thank you so much. It is as simple as reading the profile isn't it.. How hard is that... Great comments JMO! 
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EternalFlame
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May 30 @ 10:48AM
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to you, Mahon! I, too, am appalled at the lack of spelling and grammar skills I see these days. The other things that drives me nuts are the using of numbers for letters, and the every other letter in caps. 
I must confess that I am guilty of using a couple of chat shortcuts (laff and prolly) but that's just because I almost ALWAYS typo on those two words, and my backspace key is tired of the workout...  . You will not, however, catch me typing u instead of you, or r instead of are. It's two extra keystrokes, people...you're really not saving that much time! 
I'm seriously worried about the future of written English.... 
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redbronze
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May 30 @ 10:48AM
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Smile.. Sometimes grammar matters, others it is just funny.. So you can take things in the many ways they come or you can put a little humor into your own thought process and have some fun....
Welcome to the MD blogs may you find laughter and fun here... Smile...
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christy74
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May 30 @ 10:52AM
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I totally agree, and you're definitely going to get a kudo from me on this one!
In my opinion, a few mistakes are fine. I usually barely notice commonly misspelled words and simple typos (hey, I've been known to make a few of those myself  ). What is really annoying to me, are the emails that consist of a couple of lines of text with no punctualization or capitalization, and every other word misspelled. If you're going to send me a one-liner, at least put a period at the end of it! 
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etobin45
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May 30 @ 10:56AM
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Well, some of us dinosaurs still consider it worthwhile and of real value indeed.
It is definitely a sign of someone who has a healthy self-esteem and that is very important to me!
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sciurusniger
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May 30 @ 11:07AM
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Typos aside, yes, indeed, spelling and grammar matter. When all you have is written words, then you'd better be darned sure you are using them properly, or else your message will never be understood as intended.
A great example is the little "joke" that circles the 'net:
A class was asked to punctuate the following sentence:
A WOMAN WITHOUT HER MAN IS NOTHING
A man stood up and wrote:
"A woman, without her man, is nothing."
A woman then stood up and wrote:
"A woman: without her, man is nothing!"
Caveat emptor.
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tridin
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May 30 @ 11:19AM
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Great !!! 
I agree with you 100%, but some years ago my manager told me (he had enough experience, because was 68) : "My boy, in my life I have read many books and always wanted to be interesting and even try to bring stars from the sky to the girls. But for my great surprise and conclusion, all women are the same, no matter their education. They all want to enjoy the life (easy life) and if it is posible sex. So things between two must be as simple as possible and we go to the main point as fast as possible".
When I think from time to time about his words, I think he was right 
Look the profiles of many of the women. She is 45, but looks for somebody from 23 to 35. What is the conclusion ?
So I do not think that will see too much replys
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canadianbbw
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May 30 @ 11:21AM
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Hello fellow Canuck,
I really hear you, grammar and spelling mean a lot to me.
I am often left wondering if someone could be for me, simply based on
their poorly worded and constructed e-mails.
Then I may feel guilty afterwards, and think I'm putting too much
emphasis on that---but I can't seem to help it, it's an impression thing.
It's hard to get into someone when you have to re-read a sentence
several times to understand what they're saying.
And I too, have different standards for IM, that's just a different animal, with its
shorthands and spontaneity.
I know some people really haven't had an education, even in our generation...
but I do sense it's more a lack of effort in many, because the sloppiness
can be haphazard (one fairly understandable e-mail, followed by a head-scratcher).
I find an articulate, eloquent email (and it doesn't have to be "perfect"),
very attractive, and makes me want to learn more about someone.
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LGTEYES
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May 30 @ 11:22AM
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A kudo to you sir!! I agree with everything you said. I was reading something I wrote to my 16 yr. old the other day, and she stopped me in mid sentence and stated that it sounded like something a professor would write. My comment back... this is the way I was taught in school!
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swtldybikr
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May 30 @ 11:22AM
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OMG.. I was like.. sooo impressed with yer blog info yeah man.. how messy dem folks can be huh? (just kidding)
I just recently read one that was so horrible on so many levels it boggled my mind. I couldn't even comment for fear of hurting the person's feelings. I felt that I had just read something typed by a six year old! (the man was 30 something) It's a sad state of affairs when our "native" language is so mutilated beyond recognition.
Keep up the good hopes!
K
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Godless
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May 30 @ 11:23AM
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I too am disgusted at the utter lack of concern over grammar. It isn't just the youth either. I find people my own age are completely without concern (or ignorant, not sure) as to their own portrayal of their intelligence. My grammar habits were instilled in me at birth and have stuck with me throughout my life and it just seems odd that clear language is no longer valued as a necessity.
Over the last 10 years on the internet, I have wavered a bit on this. I've gone from judgmental rants on the proper use of words while completely missing a valuable point, to deciphering what has been written and delaying judgment for content. I realize that, many times, writings are more wrought with typos rather than genuine ignorance and sometimes just written in a frenzy without the benefit of proofreading. It's the hurry hurry, rush rush syndrome so prevalent on the internet.
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leggieflorida_blonde
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May 30 @ 11:28AM
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I am one that did read your profile,I am just one that likes reading profiles.... and as far as spelling and all the stuff that goes with it "SPELL CHECK" IS A WONDERFUL THING TO USE....
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naivete2007
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May 30 @ 11:30AM
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It IS unfortunate that correct spelling and grammar are rare in modern
society, but is it really worth an entire blog? People are here to have
fun and form relationships! Why should anybody care how well they
can spell?
There are MANY different types of intelligence. What's the point of
isolating one of those areas and harping on it? Everybody has their
weak and strong points. Some people might just have poor keyboarding
skills!
You might want to consider the possibility that poor spelling and grammar
do not necessarily point to lack of importance. Some people just have trouble with those areas. Say there was a boy in school who was good
at math. He whizzed through calculus with ease. He noticed other kids in his class who just couldn't grasp it! So, he proceeded to preech around school asking, "Am I the only person left in this world TO WHOM mathematics matter?"
If anything, we should point out truly important qualities such as kindness
and acceptance. Everybody is capable of both! Maybe i'm crazy......
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geniekitten
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May 30 @ 11:44AM
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Yes, spelling is important.. kudos to you.. well said and well written
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KallieKo
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May 30 @ 11:55AM
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I appreciate the time taken to create this blog. I am here not only for friendships but also to read the blogs, of all varieties.
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MahonMacRi
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May 30 @ 12:01PM
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Wow...thank you all so very much for your kind and positive feedback. I didn't know what to expect, this being my very first blog and all, but I am very pleased with the enthusiasm so many of you have shown for this subject...clearly I'm NOT alone after all, for which I am deeply grateful!
Typographical errors are something that happen to all of us, and I'm not excluding myself here, but after all, I'm clearly not talking about typographical errors...I'm talking about what often seems like a complete inability to put together a series of coherent thoughts and/or to form complete sentences, whether through genuinely just not knowing better or, even worse, just not caring. This whole "whatever" attitude I find everywhere Ithese days just doesn't cut it. All "whatever" means is, "don't know, don't care, f*** you,"; ignorance, apathy, and disrespectare not now, nor ever will be, "cool" to those of us who remain steadfastly "old school."
Naivete2007, please note that I'm not saying that "a person isn't of importance" just because they write, keyboard or spell poorly; I'm just saying that I'm much more impressed when someone makes that little extra effort to send me a well-written, well thought out message, and especially one which shows a keen mind at work. As far as acceptance and kindness go, you must have overlooked the part where I said, "I'll talk to anyone, anywhere, any time, at the drop of a hat." I am very accepting, kind and tolerant for the most part, but sometimes I just wish that more people still cared enough to communicate clearly, that's all.
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Blinddatingsucks
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May 30 @ 12:23PM
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I spent more than 12 years of my life with someone who was constantly asking " Honey, how do you spell...."
I completely agree with you on the "your" vs. you're" and there, they're and their. That can be confusing when you're reading it in a sentence and it's not being used properly.
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Kaylajudy
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May 30 @ 12:27PM
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I agree with you completely. I used to work with an English professor, and I learned my grammar well in that position. I now have a boss who apparently needs to take his class! It drives me insane when he insists I use his methods. I do not even want to put my initials at the bottom of his letters. Some people will not accept help regardless. So I give you a kudo for your informative blog!
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misschoos
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May 30 @ 12:49PM
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Very good friend 
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Mission_Impossible139
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May 30 @ 1:50PM
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Speaking of grammar lad, dig this latest bit I just received from a dorkus in Nashville:
Hello my friend!. It is very pleasant for me
that I have found for You time, with what purpose you are present on this site? My purpose
to get new acquaintances, but it is not simple acquaintances, I want to find not only the
friend, but the the man! You understand? I have more recently addressed here and while I did
not have successful attempts to get acquainted. How you think? At us with you the good
conversation together can turn out?:) I also have learned to use e-mail, you can give me
your electronic box?:) I could leave to you the message and send some my photos:)
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tomccc
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May 30 @ 2:47PM
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Yes. Great blog Mahon!
I can tell a lot about someone simply by the way they write.
I try not to be too judgemental, but if the spelling, grammar, and punctuation is off,
chances are you're not dealing with a cerebral astronaut.
It also can be telling as to how educated they are, and/or if they just don't care about such things, which, in turn, may be an indication as to how they will be towards someone in a relationship.
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eastham
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May 30 @ 3:08PM
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I believe that grammar matters enormously. The occasional verbal or written miscue is one thing, but institutional bad grammar is quite another. Am I the only one appauled by "10 items or less" at the grocery store or "none were hurt" on a newscast?!
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thegoodideaman
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May 30 @ 3:35PM
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sounds like you're getting foreign generated spam,
as opposed to actual earnest female responses, no?
About Spelling, Sentence Structure, Conjugation, and the like.
for better or worse, Language evolves, it always has, always will.
(although it seams the written word evolves slower than the art of conversation)
Read the King James Bible, you'll see what I mean, and in short order too...
as for my Grammar, she matters a great deal to me,(and Grampa)
she's a tough old bird, and sharp as a tack...
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TallBlonde1
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May 30 @ 4:00PM
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I agree with you, completely. Good blog.
I can't even read blogs, comments or profiles that use U, R, "wat" "iz" , etc. instead of real words. It's annoying and not worth reading.
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Johnny1951
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May 30 @ 4:56PM
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Hi
I went to catholic grammer and high school, so writing and grammer were big deals to the nuns & brothers and me of course...Over the years my handwriting is not as smart looking as it was when I was a school aged kid, but I use spell checks if I am not sure of the spelling and I reread everything most of the time when I write or respond to a blog on here.
I personally think writing an email requires not too much labor and the least a person can do is just use the spell check and read it before they send it out...
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Hansumm
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May 30 @ 5:00PM
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Thanks for your post.
It put things back into perspective for me. I confess that I am very guilty of posting blogs without proofreading. Consequently my posts are alwasys full of misspelled words and probably bad grammer.
I worked in media for many years and writing copy was an everyday factory speed habit for me. When I was young, I was a very fast typist and could keep up with the speed, but as I am now older, I still want to type fast but unfortunately not all of my fingers have kept the same speed. So, I end up posting blogs with so many errors, it is difficult for even me to read back smoothly. Over the years, the errors in my copy would start to increase in frequency, however it was not important, since most all my typing was basically drafts and would have be fixed in the final copy. I was told a long time ago, as a writer, you write the book and then when you finished. You go back and edit. This way, you maintain a smooth spontaneous conveyance of your thought process, subject, point and story. So, I confess, I got lazy and have been typing with the same speed, but basically, they are all poor initial draft quality. I know myself, that I make slightly less than favorable opinions of blogs with numerous errors, and did not maintain the same rules for myself that I judge other blogs by. I apologize for doing so, and will from now on...treat readers on this MD site with the respect that so many of you have for one another by taking the time to write with better accuracy. It is just respectful to make your point easy to read and with better clarity. Thanks for the post...and thanks for shedding light on a selfish habit that I have been guilty of.
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MahonMacRi
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May 30 @ 7:18PM
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I really appreciate all the feedback, and especially all the positive response this blog has created.
I wasn't talking about blogs as such, but rather about certain emails I have received, and apparently I'm not the only one who has received such emails, or been less than impressed by them. A blog is a free expression of one's thoughts, and hence does not need to be perfect, it simply is what it is, and need only be coherent enough for people to get the point, or the punchline, as the case may be.
An email, on the other hand, can often be someone's very first impression of you, and so should be worth one's best efforts at showing themself in the most positive lightpossible. I get some emails that just make me want to throw up my hands in disgust and wonder, "can this person even read," since it's painfully obvious that they didn't bother to read my profile before deciding we would be a good match. This is was I was "ranting" about, and I hope that any of you who might have thought I was talking about your blogs will forgive me for not being clearer in the first place.
I'm not "The Grammar Police," nor do I expect people to be perfect; that would be ridiculous, since I am extremely far from perfect myself! I just hope that anyone who takes the time to email me will strive to make the best possible impression on me, and the best way I can think of to do that is simply by making thatlittle extra effort to ensure I can actually understand them!
Thanks again for all the feedback, people! I never expected my very first blog to attract so much attention, let alone so much positive feedback!
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KallieKo
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May 30 @ 10:26PM
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lmao At goodideaman's Grammer and Grandpa..... that was cute.
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daisy315
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Jun 16 @ 12:19AM
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oh dear.. do I need to go back and reread my emails to you? 
my problem is my punctuation... My spelling is usually impeccable. ( I am actually so anal about my spelling that I can tell you the very first word I missed on a spelling test.. in the second grade) .. the ONLY word I ever missed on a spelling test. So ok.. spelling is very important to me. I won't respond to a badly worded email or one with so many shortcuts that I can't figure it out. So shoot me... 
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OtterGal
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Aug 6 @ 4:37PM
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Wow...I only wish that I was as prolific at writing as you are!
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stormbringer99
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Aug 20 @ 5:36PM
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I could not agree more wholeheartedly to this blog. The initial e-mail is the same as any other first impression. You should try to put your best foot forward. The fact and it is a fact that too many people of both sexes do not read the profile before deciding to forge ahead with an ill-conceived email. I try to write a straightforward and lucid communication with a point (or question) or two for further discussions. However I am a terrible speller! But I have the good grace to at least use spell check. Without that miracle of the modern times my spelling would be atrocious. I can always overlook a few mistakes in any communication (email or other) I make them myself, but when the mistakes are so many it becomes difficult to read or communicate then that really becomes an issue.
Thank you Mac for this very valid point and blog!
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