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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This^. In general, if it is going to take more than 3-4 exchanges of information call me. Otherwise text is better.
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!!
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.
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.
Extensively, and almost exclusively. I make very few phone calls these days.
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.
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.
+1 Talking is overrated.
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.
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.
Text yes. Don’t leave me a voice mail. Text me.
My opinion of texting can best be described by the following pictures.
http://s564.photobucket.com/user/Trygolyte/media/wppic160614.gif.html
I’m guessing the people who never text are not single. You can’t date without tons of texting these days.
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.
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.