The art of the nudge: a short guide to the most annoying button ever made

The nudge is simple. Press it, and the other person's chat window shakes and rattles. That's it. And yet it caused more drama in the 2000s than most reality TV.

On Chatroom the nudge is back, so here's how to use it well.

How to nudge

Open a conversation with a contact and click Nudge in the toolbar. Their window shakes and they hear the rattle (if they've got sounds on). You can send one every 15 seconds, which is about 14 seconds more than anyone needs.

When a nudge is perfect

• They've gone quiet mid-conversation. A single nudge says "hello? you there?" better than any message.
• You've just sent something important. "check your messages" in one button.
• It's someone's birthday. One nudge, a (^) cake emoticon, done.
• Reviving an old friendship. Out of nowhere, after months. Bold. Effective.

When to leave it alone

• They're set to Busy. The orb is red for a reason.
• You've already sent two. Three nudges is a cry for help.
• You don't know them yet. Say hello first. Nudge later.

How to win a nudge war

You don't. Nobody wins a nudge war. But if you must:

1. Wait. Let them think they've won.
2. Send one perfectly timed nudge right as they start typing.
3. Follow up with :P and nothing else.

A bit of etiquette

Nudges are for friends. If someone asks you to stop, stop. And if anyone is nudging you more than you'd like, you can block them and they'll never rattle your window again.

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