Fine, I admit it – I am a ‘dry texter’. It beats emojis or verbal diarrhoea | Emma Beddington

All of my family keep it brief. Most messages are just k'. So when an expression of affection finally arrives, it elicits a genuine thrill

How dry is your text life? I've recently become aware of the phenomenon of dry texting: the terse, single-word responses (Yes, No, OK, Lol) to chatty messages that are viewed as inadequate, hostile or hurtful.

Our family chat is arid, a veritable Atacama Desert. Most messages are k" or OK". Interesting titbits sent by those of us keen to maintain a skein of connection (yes, fine, mainly me) go uncommented on; often unopened. My husband recently circulated a link to a news article about the local repair cafe where he volunteers, which, thrillingly, featured a picture of him failing to repair a woman's kettle and telling her I am sorry for your loss"; neither of our sons responded.