Have you tried writing in cursive lately?
Posted by Kaa_The_Snake@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 121 comments
So I keep hearing about how current generations can’t write (or read) cursive and it made me grin. “I can! I learned it in school!”. So as I was taking some notes today I decided to write them in cursive. Let me just say yeah, technically I can write in cursive, but it’s slow, difficult, and I’ve forgotten how to differentiate the v’s and u’s, and my other letters look a bit sus but I’m remembering as I go along.
Have you actually tried writing in cursive lately? Or, is it your go-to instead of printing? Or, in my case, scrawling because I’m impatient.
thebestestofthebest@reddit
Yes and my hand was cramped for a week.
DarenRidgeway@reddit
I deliberately stopped writing in cursive towards the end of highschool. Had a very wise teacher who told me no professor wants to decode your chicken scratch in a blue book.
We won't talk about the four squggles and a dot that serve as my signature now.
PerformanceHour1675@reddit
I can barely print, let alone do cursive. It takes effort and concentration to do either.
cawfytawk@reddit
I try but forget how some letters swirl or connect to the next. It winds up looking like a EKG reading! Lol My go-to is all caps that I tend to connect like script. Only I can read my handwriting!
shabidoh@reddit
Every single day. I fill out my FLHA in handwriting. I know the safety guys cannot read it. They still sign off on it every day.
Diabolus1999@reddit
Write cursive every day
Sandi_T@reddit
I've never stopped. I wrote in a journal regularly.
It helps remember it, at least, lol.
Tempus__Fuggit@reddit
I bought a fountain pen recently just for cursive. As you described, it's slow coming back ( capital letters are annoying). I find I enjoy it more when the lines are fluid, so I focus more on that.
Kaa_The_Snake@reddit (OP)
That sounds soothing actually!
My problem is with writing overall, my brain is way ahead of my writing so it ends up looking like I’m a doctor (I’m not), but yet things ‘stick’ better in my head when I write them down rather than typing. Even if I can barely read them later.
Now for journaling I have to type.
Tempus__Fuggit@reddit
Interesting. My dad was an engineer, and would often ask us to help him interpret his own handwriting. Engineers have the worst scrawls, but doctors have the reputation.
My memory works better with handwriting as well. If I've written something down, I'm less likely to refer to my notes.
JackTrippin@reddit
I believe the term is "chicken scratch" which just means I'm a genius.
Kaa_The_Snake@reddit (OP)
Yup. My brain goes much faster than my writing so it ends up illegible, even to me sometimes.
MowgeeCrone@reddit
My brain goes faster than my mouth, so if I glance at the gap between thoughts and speech while talking I tend to lose track of where my mouth was up to.
MowgeeCrone@reddit
Yeah. Nothing but. All day. Addresses, shopping lists, notes. Everything. I havent even lifted my finger off this keyboard between typing letters.
NetworkMick@reddit
The only cursive that I write is my signature and nobody can read it because it looks like I’m a doctor.
Ornery-Practice9772@reddit
🤣 i write like that everyday.
pdx_via_dtw@reddit
yup
she_red41@reddit
I never stopped. It’s been quite comical watching people struggle to read what i wrote. I even had one person flat out say “is this cursive”? Muahahhaahah yes. Yes it is.
italicizedspace@reddit
Yes, and it looks like a Richter scale, according to some
Judgy-Introvert@reddit
My writing is a mix of cursive and print. For some reason, I can’t write in just one. lol
HeWhoDealtItSmeltIt@reddit
Cursive because it's civilized. The exception: Cursive "G" and "F" are hard for me so those are print..much to my chagrin. I delight in writing notes in cursive for my much younger coworkers to decipher.
Y'all realize we have a "secret" way to communicate, correct? I can practice my "G" and "F" and nail it down for The Cause.
Positive-Froyo-1732@reddit
Me too. I find that some letter combinations just flow together naturally when I print.
CrowsSayCawCaw@reddit
My handwriting is also a mixture of both, but cursive can be a bit easier on arthritic hands.
RedMageMajure@reddit
This is me as well. My handwriting is almost guaranteed unique because i mix cursive, symbols and print.
Shen1076@reddit
I do the same and connect cursive and print
MamaSquash8013@reddit
Shen1076@reddit
Yes that’s me also - I wonder why we do it
NoTomorrowNo@reddit
Cursive was created for feathers and fountain pens , which are slow to use. (Much much slower than generally shown in films)
When you write faster in cursive , like with a bic pen, it tends to come down to a bumpy line, it becomes undecipherable.
Joined up writing on the other hands slows down the writing and allows it to remain readable even when we write faster.
Parking_Pomelo_3856@reddit
The UK teaches kids this in place of cursive. It’s called joined up writing
nygrl811@reddit
I do it all the time. I much prefer to take notes by hand, and cursive is faster.
Bozodogon@reddit
I also take notes in cursive and not only is it faster for me, but I also find I retain information better.
I tried to write meeting notes by typing for a while since my handwriting is atrocious and realized I just was not remembering things as well when reviewing them later.
nygrl811@reddit
That's actually a scientifically proven fact - the act of hand writing notes builds neuro pathways better. Or something like that (ironically, I forget! Guess I didn't take notes!!)
NoTomorrowNo@reddit
Makes sense!
I actually feel it, like in my brain. When I write things down it s like I can feel the clogs in movement up there, ... not when I m typing.
Cdn65@reddit
Likewise. I write everything in cursive... and i have very neat handwriting.
NoTomorrowNo@reddit
I write daily in a mix of cursive, print and a few symbols of mine.
I need to write down things manualy to remember them to the point I often leave the grocery list behind and still bring back all that was on it.
I can write full cursive, like when using a fountain pen (zero waste conscious choice), because it was designed for that tool.
Quite glad that it makes it undecipherable to younger prying eyes lol!
sambolino44@reddit
The only time I write in cursive is once a month when I write the check for my electricity bill.
chapaj@reddit
I can barely print these days. Been typing full time since 1995.
Caro1275@reddit
I tend to write a mix of cursive and regular handwriting. Always have actually!
hbgbees@reddit
I pretty much always write in cursive. It’s so much faster than printing.
Dkblue74@reddit
Oh me too! Can barely sign my own name and have to make multiple attempts on greeting cards!!
ApatheistHeretic@reddit
I still do. It's just easier and always has been for me.
SixAndNine75@reddit
I got into graffiti in the late 80's and my writing is a mix of cursive, print and tagging - mostly it looks like a tag tho..
nutmegtell@reddit
Yes. I’m a teacher and over 30 years have seen the pendulum swing from cursive in the 1990’s to just printing and not cursive is back. Turns out it’s better for your brain and especially those with dyslexia to learn cursive first.
My writing is a hybrid to be honest lol.
some_one_234@reddit
I stopped writing in cursive back in grade school (my writing was atrocious) and started printing in block letter. Since then I think I was required to write a statement in cursive once about 15 years ago saying I read and understood a document. I don’t know if they could even read the statement.
Pinchaser71@reddit
Yep, I do both. I love doing it at work because the young employees can’t read it🤣 I’ve always had excellent penmanship especially in cursive. How pretty it looks completely depends on my mood. I can make it as sloppy as a doctor or be accused of having “a girls” handwriting. I never understood the girls handwriting comment… I mean guys can dot “i”’s with hearts too!🙂❤️
Kaa_The_Snake@reddit (OP)
I love this! 🥰
Striking_Earth_786@reddit
I'm told I don't write in cursive, I write in incredible script. But I do it all the time.
And then they try to photocopy it or scan it, and it's completely illegible. For the longest time, I thought "Yeah, right..." until somebody emailed me a trip sheet that had been scanned in for the purposes of asking a question. Yeah...it was that bad. For whatever reason, the scanners all thicken and darken the strokes so that they all blend together.
MorningBrewNumberTwo@reddit
I write in cursive all the time.
SeattleUberDad@reddit
Daily. Printing is such a chore.
PreferenceNo7524@reddit
My handwriting is naturally half, or maybe 1/3 cursive. It just ended up that way.
Accomplished-Resort6@reddit
No
ggibby@reddit
I was a calligraphy nerd all through school and am fortunate to be able to use it a couple times a week at work.
A coworker was taught by nuns and has BEAUTIFUL, effortless cursive that I am jealous of.
freddieguts@reddit
I do it a lot. Funny story. I went to music school after graduating high school. My dad insisted that I take a year off before going. I spent the majority of that time mainly practicing. When I finally got to school, I was handed some forms to sign. My brain had to think for quite a while about how to write my name. I wrote regularly after that...
Kaa_The_Snake@reddit (OP)
Omg that’s hilarious! Glad you remembered how to write your own name 😋
That makes me wonder though if/when I retire and don’t write semi regularly anymore what’ll happen.
The_Blendernaut@reddit
Better yet, have you tried writing lately? My handwriting in the 80s was block lettering style due to my extensive drafting training. Today, I feel as if my writing hand is coming out of a deep sleep if I have to write anything.
Kaa_The_Snake@reddit (OP)
I write fairly often, though not a lot at a time. I find I retain information better when I write it down rather than typing it.
Parking-Power-1311@reddit
Love it.
Mines gotten messy.
DaveDankland@reddit
I do our weekly meal/general planner/grocery list and my personal planner/calorie count in cursive. It makes me feel like a fancy lord writing down the days events lol
MyriVerse2@reddit
My cursive is 75% print. It was that way pre-Internet.
noscrubphilsfans@reddit
No, because it sucks. Fuck cusive.
The_ZombyWoof@reddit
100%, have an upvote.
GenXer-Bitch@reddit
I still write in cursive, but my handwriting has deteriorated! I used to have such wonderful penmanship.
Lisa100176@reddit
My writing is kind of a combo of print and cursive.
Prudent-Elk-4012@reddit
No. I stopped the second I left school and didn’t have to anymore. I hated it and I doubt I could even remember how if I tried. I hate reading cursive too. To me it’s a real old person thing.
UpOrDownItsUpToYou@reddit
The only time I wrote in cursive every year is when I write my kids a note from Santa
pedsmursekc@reddit
I generally write in cursive because I find it easier and more fun but because my brain is weird, I will often mix print and cursive. 🤷
january1977@reddit
I don’t often write in cursive. Print is faster for me. My husband is 10 years younger than me and he can’t read cursive. If we ever get a fancy Christmas card, I have to read it to him.
Mental-Artist-6157@reddit
I write in cursive when I leave notes for the (step) kids. It took them a minute but they can read it now at least. I also find I retain information better using cursive.
Optimal-Ad-7074@reddit
I always use cursive. it's more natural than printing for me.
my handwriting has deteriorated though.
EnergyCreature@reddit
M46 here. I draw a lot and signed my tag name in cursive.
seattlemh@reddit
Everyday
SussinBoots@reddit
I was never very good at it. I decided to teach my kids & practice more myself while I was at it, but that didn't last long.
WBW1974@reddit
Yes. I do it daily.
My day job requires me to think. I've used notepad and other programs to write my notes. I find, however, when I'm just organizing my thoughts (or trying to stay awake and attentive in a Zoom meeting) and no one else needs my working copy, that a pen and a notebook that I will never look at again to be the best method. I call it my Work Diary.
I write in cursive because it is genuinely faster for me. Not quite as legible (I'm a guy -- everyone knows that guys have spidery handwriting [laughter goes here; or be offended; your pick]). My notes get taken to the office secure shredder bin once a notebook is filled (by definition, they contain company secrets).
Maleficent-Sport1970@reddit
I also primarily write in cursive. My 20yr old loves to translate my shopping lists. He's pretty funny about it.
I think it's like us reading middle English.
TurkeyTot@reddit
Yes! I'm teaching my kids cursive. I definitely had to give myself a bit of a refresher but I'm really enjoying it.
WritingRidingRunner@reddit
I hate it. I haven't done so since teachers stopped requiring me to do so and I was able to use a computer for my assignments.
SssnakeJaw@reddit
After I got out of school I slowly transitioned from cursive to printing. It wasn't a conscious decision, just something I slowly did over time. Now I only write cursive when I sign my name. I can still read it pretty well though.
liand22@reddit
I have a sort of hybrid cursive/print I use for fast notes. In general, though, I tend to print.
goodbyegoosegirl@reddit
I do from time to time just to check
Accomplished-Math740@reddit
I write in both print and cursive
pywacket@reddit
I still write cards a few times a month to friends who live in other states. Just to keep the friendship going.
EastYouth1410@reddit
As a lefty I was always quite particular about my cursive. I have the best handwriting of any other dude I've met in our age bracket. I still write cursive all the time.
dirtygreysocks@reddit
I did Catholic school. I learned the perfect, anal, very strict way.. and have never, ever written like that. I write with a nice mix of some Print, some cursive, and none of it is the "proper" way.
GenXrules69@reddit
Always written in a blend of cursive, block and some variation of English. Similar to doctor script
Confident-Echo-5996@reddit
I can, but the spellchecker crutch I have relied on is very obvious.
BaronessF@reddit
I write in cursive, except when I'm teaching. I can't use cursive because my students (high school) can't read it. I still write the date out in full cursive on the top of the board every morning. Yes, I am old.
lassiemav3n@reddit
I really appreciate that you write in a way that’s accessible to your students! My son’s new teacher writes on his work as if she’s a GP scratching out a prescription, she doesn’t adjust it for eight years olds deciphering it at all! He can read my joined up writing though ☺️ I do write in joined up writing - I’m never sure if posts about use of cursive are asking about something a little more regimented than that! Whenever I had US pen pals back in the nineties, there was usually something very similar about all their handwriting ☺️
poolpog@reddit
I haven't actively used cursive since high school. I can technically use it still, but what's the point?
YogurtclosetBroad872@reddit
It's a struggle. I write in all caps and I forget when that all started. Good thing I can type fast though
ihatepickingnames_@reddit
I had to copy a paragraph in cursive for the LSAT 15 or so years ago and couldn’t remember quite a few letters. Good riddance I say.
Like-Totally-Tubular@reddit
Every day
Individual-Fail4709@reddit
I write in cursive every day.
RCA2CE@reddit
I’m horrible at it
MrsQute@reddit
For day to day stuff I use an amalgamation of print and cursive but leaning more towards the cursive end.
I can still do full cursive if required however. It gets nicer looking as I do it more.
Break out the old favorite: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
MellowTelephone@reddit
I only write cursive
justjessb1975@reddit
I do whatever is easiest to make and slop together lol
CheetahNo9349@reddit
The only time I write is for the benefit of the reader so I print. My cursive is chicken scratch to everyone but a handful of people, the majority of them are dead.
warrior_poet95834@reddit
Not since the nuns beat it into me in elementary school.
Fine_Cap402@reddit
I only write in cursive. Printing is for crosswords. In ink.
CheetahNo9349@reddit
Calliesdad20@reddit
Yes it’s not hard
moneyman74@reddit
No. I hated it then and I hated now. Good riddance.
bucketofmonkeys@reddit
Since I graduated from handwriting classes in grade school, my handwriting morphed into a combination of printing and cursive.
cliqclaqstepback@reddit
My cursive is still as illegible as it’s ever been.
Alarmed-Inside-6773@reddit
I switch back and forth between cursive and long hand.
Fine_Comparison9812@reddit
I still do and my kids all learned in school too.
Guidance-Still@reddit
I write in it at work a couple of my employees,would say they don't teach you that in school anymore
Sophiatab@reddit
I write in cursive all the time. I love to make my younger relatives struggle.
Exciting-Shop3064@reddit
I have written in cursive since learning it.
A2ronMS24@reddit
All the time. Every day. It's my default when I write
newwriter365@reddit
Yep. I’m doing “The Artist’s Way”, writing three pages/day.
Highly recommend.
tvieno@reddit
I wrote in cursive not too long ago. I was amazed how nice my writing looked, considering I thought my handwriting was atrocious.
My signature is just a squiggle, not legible at all and I had the hardest time writing my full name in cursive; it took a few attempts.
Skatchbro@reddit
I still take notes in cursive. However my handwriting is terrible and I actually have to concentrate to make sure I can read my notes later.
seandia@reddit
I re-taught myself about three years ago in preparation for sending wedding thank yous. I didn’t want to send cards with chicken scratch. I found it to be really relaxing, and now I write every day before bedtime. Even if it’s just writing down nonsense or old song lyrics
Redwood_Moon@reddit
Cursive is how we can send coded messages to each other without younger generations knowing what we are saying.
Flimsy_Intern_4845@reddit
It honestly differentiates people that do and don’t know it and how old they are. I was always terrible, but I can read it. At best I scribble it, but that always was my level of mastery.
millersixteenth@reddit
I sometimes write the grocery list in cursive, but find I am more prone to overlooking stuff when I'm shopping.
LilJourney@reddit
I just did it in my journal about 10 minutes ago. I write in cursive almost every day. So much faster and easier than printing to me.
Xavasia@reddit
When I write I print, however 12 years of Nuns has forever burned cursive into my soul
WaitingitOut000@reddit
It’s a mess, but it always was.
ChefOrSins@reddit
Strangely enough, the only time I find myself using cursive is when I am writing a check. And that is something else a lot of the current generation does not do.