12 Chat Room Habits Everyone Had
Chat rooms shaped how people interacted online, with quirky habits that defined the early internet era.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
In the heyday of chat rooms, users developed unique behaviors that made online spaces both entertaining and chaotic. From asking “ASL?” to customizing fonts and roleplaying with strangers, these habits created an entirely new culture of communication. Though many of these trends faded with time, they remain nostalgic snapshots of the internet’s early years.
1. Using “ASL?” Right Away
Age Cymru from Unsplash
Almost every chat room encounter in the late 90s and early 2000s started with “ASL?” which stood for Age, Sex, Location. It was the fastest way to break the ice and figure out who you were talking to. Although it was simple, it also revealed how anonymous and curious online communication could be.
2. Speaking in All Caps
Mika H. Laybourn from Unsplash
Typing in all caps was a common habit that often made you look like you were yelling. People did it to grab attention in busy chat rooms where text moved quickly. While it could be effective, it also led to heated misunderstandings.
3. Overusing Screen Names with Numbers
Nick Hillier from Unsplash
Because so many names were taken, users often added random numbers, birth years, or repeated letters to create a screen name. This gave rise to countless usernames like “CoolDude1234” or “BabyGrl1990.” It became a badge of identity, even if it looked messy.
4. Making Dramatic Exits with “BRB”
Dongki Koh from Unsplash
Typing “BRB” (Be Right Back) was practically mandatory when leaving, even for just a few minutes. Users didn’t want to seem rude or disappear without warning. It created a sense of etiquette in an otherwise chaotic digital world.
5. Creating Elaborate Away Messages
freestocks from Unsplash
On platforms like AIM, away messages were mini billboards of personality. People filled them with song lyrics, cryptic quotes, or mood updates. It was less about being unavailable and more about curating an online identity.
6. Collecting Buddy Lists Like Trophies
Christian Wiediger from Unsplash
Having a big contact list was a sign of popularity in chat rooms. Users would add almost anyone they interacted with, even if the conversation was short. It felt like proof that you were part of a buzzing online community.
7. Using “LOL” for Everything
Lesly Juarez from Unsplash
“LOL” quickly became the default response, even when nothing was funny. It was used to lighten conversations, end awkward pauses, or just acknowledge a message. Over time, it lost its original meaning and became filler text.
8. Experimenting with Text Colors and Fonts
Markus Spiske from Unsplash
Many platforms allowed users to customize their text colors and fonts. People used neon pink, glowing green, or hard-to-read cursive just to stand out. While it looked unique, it often gave others headaches.
9. Falling for Copy-Paste Chain Messages
Adem AY from Unsplash
Chat rooms were full of chain messages that threatened bad luck if you didn’t forward them. Some promised miracles or secret rewards if shared with friends. Even though most knew they weren’t real, many still copied them out of curiosity or superstition.
10. Meeting in “Roleplay” Rooms
Joseph Ogbonnaya from Unsplash
Roleplay chat rooms became hugely popular for acting out fantasy scenarios. Users picked characters from anime, games, or original creations and interacted in story form. It gave people a creative outlet that often lasted for hours.
11. Abusing Emoticons
Katja Anokhina from Unsplash
Before emojis, there were text-based emoticons like :) , :( , and ^_^. People spammed them in conversations to express every mood. They became so overused that entire messages sometimes looked like walls of faces.
12. Pretending to Be Someone Else
Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com from Unsplash
Because chat rooms thrived on anonymity, many people pretended to be older, cooler, or even a different gender. It was a way to escape reality and live in another persona. While playful for some, it also led to the earliest warnings about online safety.