The right text message sent at the right time can keep a couple’s romance alive.For those who are dating, 40 percent said text messaging plays a significant role in their relationship, according to an AT&T survey conducted in May and released Oct. 8. The survey sampled 1,000 customers.Couples ages 18 to 55 are sending fast and flirty messages through their cell phones when the mood strikes. Sixty-eight percent surveyed said they sent a love note via text messaging to their significant other, and 67 percent have used text messaging to flirt.”Text messaging replaces old-fashioned, yellow Post-it notes which can signal spontaneity and reinforce being in love,” said James Honeycutt, communication studies professor.But because notes can be saved, Honeycutt said old-fashioned love notes are more likely to be remembered, as text messages are constantly deleted. Twenty-eight percent surveyed indicated they text at least three times a day with their significant other.Nicole McDonald, basic science freshman, said she sends text messages to her boyfriend at least a hundred times a day.”Our day is pretty busy, and I text him between classes,” McDonald said. “It keeps us up-to-date.”McDonald said text messaging is a way to keep the conversation intimate and private, especially with roommates around.But text messaging doesn’t come without its consequences.Of those surveyed, 84 percent said text messages can sometimes be misunderstood, and 24 percent said the biggest turnoff is a slow response.But 82 percent said they answer a text message immediately or as quick as possible.Text messaging allows senders to collect their thoughts before responding or initiating a conversation. But the survey found slow responses can create uncertainty and frustration if the recipient waits too long to respond.”[My boyfriend] can tell if I’m upset if I send one-word text messages,” McDonald said. “And I pretty much know how he texts, so I can tell if he’s upset.”Honeycutt said texting makes the sender feel more in control.”Text messaging is a one-way communication that cannot be interrupted,” he said. “[The text message sender] can have their say and not be immediately questioned about the foundation of their beliefs.”Exchanging text messages also helps put some people at ease before a first date, according to the survey. Thirty-four percent agreed they would be more comfortable on a first date if they received a text message beforehand.”[Text messaging] definitely makes it easier, especially if you haven’t met the person before,” said Angelle Lambert, accounting junior. “We’re so dependent on [text messaging], and it’s easier instead of confrontation.”Daniel Selig, computer science senior, said sending text messages is less awkward than phone conversations. But he said two situations should not occur via text messaging — asking someone out and breaking up.”You have to do that on the phone or face-to-face,” Selig said.—-Contact Leslie Presnall at [email protected]