Will U Go Out With Me? Examining Romantically-Motivated Emails

This work explores the content of email messages sent in attempts to procure a romantic date. Individuals participated in a speed- dating event and were later able to email fellow speed-daters with whom mutual interest was indicated. Analyses were conducted to determine: (1) what strategies and text characteristics are utilized in romantically-motivated emails and (2) whether there are gender differences in the types of strategies and text characteristics used. Preliminary results demonstrate that men are more likely to use name references and initiate future communication while women are more likely to use emoticons. These findings suggest that, in romantically-motivated emails, women and men adhere to traditional gender-role behavior. Author Keywords