# Poll: Do You Text? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 12, 2016, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698 "2016-07-12T00:38:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/21 "2016-07-12T03:23:54Z")
Occasionally and much more since I finally got a smartphone ( within the last six months ). I don’t mind it, but I am a bit slow and fumble-fingered skill-wise. I’m also a very slow typist online ;). So I appreciate the technology, but so far still prefer to call over texting. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/22 "2016-07-12T03:37:37Z")
I rarely speak on my phone. The only regular phone-voice communicating I do is at work on work phones. My personal communications are 99% texting or facebook messaging. The only people I phone talk with are my parents. If a friend and I haven’t gotten together in a while and texting isn’t enough, then it’s a video call. I’m 45, my friend age group is 30’s to 50’s. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/23 "2016-07-12T03:43:27Z")
I text, but almost never on my cell phone. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/24 "2016-07-12T03:57:02Z")
When I communicate via phone, it’s 99% of the time via text. I hate talking on the phone. I wish my mother would figure this out. Dad has, and he hears from me more often. It’s how I talk to my wife, my boss, my friends, family, etc. Everyone except mom. Good thing I live relatively close. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/25 "2016-07-12T09:37:54Z")
Only for short communiques where information transfer is important. The idea of a _text conversation_ is bizarre, and I will ignore any texts along the lines of “how are you doing” ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/26 "2016-07-12T09:43:46Z")
I hate texting because it takes me SO LONG to write even a single sentence…and I loathe not being able to punctuate properly without a lot of effort. But I do it on occasion…reluctantly. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/27 "2016-07-12T09:44:27Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > Only for short communiques where information transfer is important. The idea of a _text conversation_ is bizarre, and I will ignore any texts along the lines of “how are you doing” I’m in the same boat. But I have a few friends who like to transfer a shitload of information at once. I always have the same reaction when I open a text and end up having to scroll to read it all … 'chrissakes, you couldn’t have called me?" For me, if I find myself on the second line of a text and I still haven’t managed to convey my message, I give up and call. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/28 "2016-07-12T09:50:32Z")
At a guess I probably use SMS about 10 to 20 times as often as I make phone calls. ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/29 "2016-07-12T09:56:35Z")
I text very seldom, few times a week. Usually to leave a reminder or to send some info like a shopping list add-ons. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/30 "2016-07-12T10:45:05Z")
I’ve only gotten a phone relatively recently, and I hate talking on it. I also used to use an Instant Messenger a lot in the early days of the internet and beyond (I only gave it up about four years ago when it was clear nobody amongst my friends was using it anymore either). I do text, though not very often. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/31 "2016-07-12T11:12:10Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > I’ve ranted about this several times before. Here’s the short version. > > My main form of communication to the outside world is via text. I do not make or answer phone calls unless it is an extreme emergency. An emergency that is indicated first by text. My answer as well. My call to text ratio is likely 1 : 100, with calls made only when there’s no other option. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/32 "2016-07-12T11:55:10Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > Only for short communiques where information transfer is important. The idea of a _text conversation_ is bizarre, and I will ignore any texts along the lines of “how are you doing” I’ve actually had a few text arguments with my wife, and I’ve found that as arguments go, they’re a lot calmer, more rational and more productive than verbal shouting matches. I strongly recommend it - if nothing else, it’s good way to prevent yourself from saying something you regret. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/33 "2016-07-12T12:05:39Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I’ve actually had a few text arguments with my wife, and I’ve found that as arguments go, they’re a lot calmer, more rational and more productive than verbal shouting matches. I strongly recommend it - if nothing else, it’s good way to prevent yourself from saying something you regret. And they leave a written record. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/34 "2016-07-12T12:12:44Z")
Exactly! ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/35 "2016-07-12T12:17:08Z")
I send texts for short transfers of information, like “Need anything at the store?” or “I’ll be done in 15 minutes.” If I need to have a conversation I call. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/36 "2016-07-12T12:20:44Z")
My wife and kids text me, so I will text back if needed. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/37 "2016-07-12T12:25:43Z")
A good amount, yes, but I would much much prefer typing. Even when I “text” 90% of the time it’s using the Hangouts app because I am so much faster and better typing, and I primarily use that. I don’t have the patience to make sure I’m texting correctly so I basically just throw down words and see what sticks. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/38 "2016-07-12T12:26:11Z")
All the time. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/39 "2016-07-12T12:27:10Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > And they leave a written record. > [@Alessan](#): > > Exactly! “You always have to be right, don’t you?!” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/40 "2016-07-12T12:31:50Z")
I have one friend who pretty much \*only \*texts so if she dings me I’ll communicate with her but I find it kind of tiresome, partly because I have a crippled thumb and also because I’m another one who hates not using punctuation and speaking (writing) in fragmented sentences. On rare occasions I’ve sent a text to my brother or another friend who lives out of state but it’s really more of hassle than it’s worth. Of course I am a bit of a loner so if I had a social circle and that was the mode of communication I suppose I’d have to play along but at this point there’s nothing compelling me to text more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698.md?page=3)