Instant recall

You want to know why, don’t you? That’s because most instant messages we receive are merely ‘‘forwards’’ forwarded to forward smiles that grace each face the moment they are read. No meanings attached. More often than not, that is.

Let’s face it: the SMS forwarding spree has caught the fancy of young and old alike. Less feelings and emotions conveyed. More fun. For fun. This forwarding-mania has cast its spell on most cell-phone users. So whether it is an emotional one-liner, a little picture message, a nasty joke or simply a few words of praise, remember it may not mean what it reads.

Discontents, of course, have also gotten into the act. They have coined a new word to denote these forwards. They call it spim — that is spam conveyed through instant messages.

Back to some recent messages. No conjuring up meanings. No sweet euphemisms. Let’s agree, the written word no longer can be taken as a certitude. Take this SMS: ‘‘I believe you were born in this world a cute little baby, now that you’ve grown up, what the hell happened?’’ Or this: ‘‘I’m sorry I cannot marry you. My family is in the iron and steel business. My aunt irons and my uncle steals!’’ Now that’s ridiculous. Or ridiculously funny, would you say?

Whatever it be, at least it made you laugh. Or smile. So the drill is clear: read, smile and delete.

And in case you are still not humoured, there’s an instant message to reflect your irritation: ‘‘A study has proven that all those using their thumbs on the cell-phone were monkeys in a previous birth. Now don’t change your finger, it’s too late to prove otherwise.’’