# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/41 "2016-07-12T12:32:51Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My answer as well. My call to text ratio is likely 1 : 100, with calls made only when there’s no other option. This. I can’t hear very well on my cell, so that’s just another reason to prefer texting. Plus, it’s to the point with no extraneous BS thrown in. I love to shoot the shit, but when information needs to be obtained, I prefer texting to anything else. ---
**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, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/42 "2016-07-12T12:34:02Z")
What drives me nuts is when people do not get the hint that a text is preferred. Someone calls me, I default to listening to their voicemail when it’s convenient. The voicemail conveys that they need to ask me for a favor. I text them back, “Sure, happy to help. Details?”. Then they call and leave a voicemail, “Just want to know if I can borrow your truck this weekend.” I text back, “Sure. Keys are in the ignition. Will need it back before Tuesday evening”. They call and leave a “thanks” voicemail. Why do some people _not_ text? You’re asking for a favor, I’m helping you out. Maybe you could put some effort into your end. If I later forget what I promised you, I can look at the text. If the truck hasn’t been returned and the deadline is approaching, I can check the text to make sure I told you when I’d need it back. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/43 "2016-07-12T13:25:50Z")
I make about one or two voice calls a week. Maybe one a year is long distance, for that I use google-phone. I get maybe one phone call a day, not counting robocalls. I do not own a device that has text capability, nor one that enables me to communicate with anybody while away from my landline. Thee isn’t anybody outside walking distance to my house that I need to be in communications with more than once or twice a week. I can’t recall if I’ve ever made or received a call in my life that was a genuine emergency and couldn’t wait until tomorrow. In their whole lives, neither of my parents ever phoned each other at work. Everything could wait until suppertime. It wasn 't a bad life. Still isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/44 "2016-07-12T13:34:25Z")
I might send a couple messages to my wife and usually shoot a message to my son, letting him know to mow the lawn today or some other chore but I don’t use it for lengthy communication. More for non-time sensitive reminders and basic check-ins. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/45 "2016-07-12T13:36:42Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Why do some people _not_ text? You’re asking for a favor, I’m helping you out. Maybe you could put some effort into your end. Counter-point: They probably feel that calling and leaving a voice message is more “effort” and respectful than a text message which still remains, in many minds, the choice of half-assed communication between teenagers. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/46 "2016-07-12T13:38:01Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > 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. This^. In general, if it is going to take more than 3-4 exchanges of information call me. Otherwise text is better. ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/47 "2016-07-12T13:52:33Z")
I prefer texting to phone calls; however, there really are times when a simple phone call will save a lot of time. I can’t stand going back and forth over what time to meet and where to go…just talk to each other!! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/48 "2016-07-12T14:15:54Z")
I voted Occasionally, but in truth, it’s Rarely. I have a flip phone, so texting is the old-fashioned way on the number pad. Mostly, I get text reminders from the Dr or dentist, or the rare message from my daughter. I suppose if I had a different phone and wasn’t on the pay-as-you-go plan, I might text more, but it’s really not a big part of my communication life. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/49 "2016-07-12T14:45:53Z")
My wife’s children from her first marriage are usually busy, so if I need to speak to them I start with a text message saying “call whenever”. I also text in refills on my phone minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/50 "2016-07-12T15:37:39Z")
Extensively, and almost exclusively. I make very few phone calls these days. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/51 "2016-07-12T16:24:22Z")
Never. I have a month-to-month cellphone, but never use it. My wife has a cheap flip phone, which apparently can be used for texting, but isn’t. Everyone I see around me seems to be oblivious to the world and events: heads down, thumbs roaming the keyboards, no idea that there’s a skeevy-looking guy two seats over checking them out as possible victims, or that there’s a glorious world out there to see; wandering out into the street, trusting that drivers will see them; standing in doorways and blocking access so they can ‘LOL’ to some inane comment or other; couples my age out on a dinner date, spending most of their time together sending texts or playing games instead of interacting with each other. Time is way too short and fleeting at my age. ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/52 "2016-07-12T18:03:55Z")
My favorite part about texting is the ongoing group texts with my family (sisters/BILs/nephews) and our best friends, especially when people take a quick pic of something cool that’s going on to share. They all live far away and it’s a fun way to keep in touch. It doesn’t replace phone calls and visits, but increases the frequency of communication which is really nice. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/53 "2016-07-12T19:25:12Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > I’m an “old fart” and would gladly text over talking on the phone any day. +1 Talking is overrated. ---
**Author:** ![Lowdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Lowdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lowdown)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/54 "2016-07-12T19:57:56Z")
Yes, frequently. I don’t want to talk to you on the phone. I mean, I don’t go crazy with it. I’ll send my wife some texts throughout the workday. Maybe I’ll text my family or friends something funny or shitty that happened. That’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/55 "2016-07-12T20:36:03Z")
I do, but not too often. I don’t particularly like typing on my phone. And, no, adding some swiping keyboard did not make it better. I couldn’t get the hang of it. I mostly text by using email servers from a real keyboard on my computer. But only to a few people, and never if I want anything seen right away. I learned the hard way that texts don’t always show up right away. ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/56 "2016-07-12T21:30:26Z")
Text yes. Don’t leave me a voice mail. Text me. ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/57 "2016-07-12T22:32:12Z")
My opinion of texting can best be described by the following pictures. [http://s564.photobucket.com/user/Trygolyte/media/wppic160614.gif.html](http://s564.photobucket.com/user/Trygolyte/media/wppic160614.gif.html) ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/58 "2016-07-12T22:56:59Z")
I’m guessing the people who never text are not single. You can’t date without tons of texting these days. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/59 "2016-07-12T23:43:11Z")
I never texted much until I started working out with a guy who is much younger than me. Texting is his preferred method of communication - I think I’ve only called him once, and emailed a few times, but we text several times a day. I guess it’s a generational thing. ---
**Author:** ![DrForrester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@DrForrester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrForrester)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698/60 "2016-07-13T01:24:30Z")
I have a cell phone, which is to say that my wife bought a cell phone for me, that I don’t use. It stays in the glove box of my car, where it can’t cause any trouble. People ask for my cell phone number. If I give it out, people - for whatever reason - believe that I will answer it. Now, I just deny owning it. It’s simpler. I have never twittered, texted, tweeted, facebooked, my spaced, or memed - at least, not so far as I am aware. I harbor the technology no specific ill will. I just don’t need it for anything. Similarly, I don’t own a bathysphere. I don’t hate them. But, I don’t know what I would do with the thing if I found one parked in the backyard one afternoon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-text/759698.md?page=4)