# Text Messaging DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 24, 2012, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684 "2012-03-24T11:41:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/41 "2012-03-24T19:09:37Z")
Why was she already mad at him and why was she hovering over the bank balance? Sounds like she was pissed he has to pay child support and was intentionally not answering the texts. Her text sure worked fine when she wanted to bitch about the cash being gone. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/42 "2012-03-24T20:11:04Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Why didn’t you just _ **CALL** _ her? This +1 Texting is NOT for important issues. If you have something important to say or need important info, time-sensitive info, then call. Right??😕 ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/43 "2012-03-24T21:40:49Z")
There are places where the signal is spotty enough that you can’t get a call through, but you can get a text, sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/44 "2012-03-24T21:50:22Z")
OK, who are these two broads? The child support is going to ex-wife/baby mama, right? And the text message fiasco is with current girlfriend/second wife? Sounds like you really know how to pick 'em. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/45 "2012-03-24T22:20:06Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > OK, who are these two broads? The child support is going to ex-wife/baby mama, right? And the text message fiasco is with current girlfriend/second wife? > > Sounds like you really know how to pick 'em. C’mon. We have no evidence at all that the first wife is a bitch. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/46 "2012-03-24T22:24:16Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > Texting is NOT for important issues. If you have something important to say or need important info, time-sensitive info, then call. > > Right??😕 If you are **spooje** then texting is NOT for important info. For the rest of the planet that is fully capable of using texting in conjunction with important info, then texting IS for important info. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/47 "2012-03-24T22:28:07Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Sounds like you really know how to pick 'em. Really. Dump her now before you knock her up. You don’t need that shit. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/48 "2012-03-24T22:35:39Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > If you are **spooje** then texting is NOT for important info. > > For the rest of the planet that is fully capable of using texting in conjunction with important info, then texting IS for important info. Texting is not always suitable for time-critical or urgent response info. My cite is this thread. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/49 "2012-03-24T22:39:53Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Texting is not always suitable for time-critical or urgent response info. My cite is this thread. In particular when the one receiving the text is an angry passive aggressive ass. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/50 "2012-03-24T23:39:57Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Texting is not always suitable for time-critical or urgent response info. My cite is this thread. Yes, it’s not always suitable. I don’t think that is in dispute. ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/51 "2012-03-25T00:55:09Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Plus, I can talk a lot faster than I can type. For a simple, say, “what time are you coming?” texting is faster than calling, IME. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/52 "2012-03-25T01:57:32Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > C’mon. We have no evidence at all that the first wife is a bitch. By definition, IMHO, the first wife is always a bitch. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/53 "2012-03-25T02:23:07Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > By definition, IMHO, the first wife is always a bitch. Close. Its every EX wife 🙂 ---
**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:** [March 25, 2012, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/54 "2012-03-25T03:25:00Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Close. Its every EX wife 🙂 But the term “first wife” is only used to distinguish her from subsequent wives, making her de facto ex. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/55 "2012-03-25T10:42:57Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > Yes, it’s not always suitable. I don’t think that is in dispute. Well, you appeared to be saying it was almost universally suitable. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/56 "2012-03-25T12:10:15Z")
> [@FirstLoser](#): > > Thanks Guys. Just had to rant a little. > > Yes, the text messaging is the LEAST significant issue. Its just a symptom of the bigger problems. Yes a much bigger problem. Anything that goes wrong she will blame it on you. Logic can’t prevail in this situation as you see from her reaction. Even if you get her to admit she was wrong, the conversation will end with it doesn’t matter if she made a mistake because it’s your still fault for putting her into this situation that she things everything is your fault. You are in the classic no-win situation, as anything that goes wrong will be blamed on you, things out of your control, in her mind, will be your fault. This tends to wear on a person and diminish their self image, so be careful, and continue to reach out to others. It may be helpful to also shift your view of the situation to she is mentally ill and can not think logically, for someone blinded by anger, which she seems to have, actually can not think logically, so it is a valid way of looking at it. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/57 "2012-03-25T12:17:43Z")
But, you are getting the booze and whores, right? ---
**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:** [March 25, 2012, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/58 "2012-03-25T12:24:37Z")
> [@Autolycus](#): > > But, you are getting the booze and whores, right? Falsely accused of boozing and whoring, IMO, gives you a pass. I despise false accusations. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/59 "2012-03-25T13:50:01Z")
> [@cckerberos](#): > > For a simple, say, “what time are you coming?” texting is faster than calling, IME. Typing it, sending it, then waiting for a response? Let’s see. On my phone, I scroll down, hit “Messaging”, then hit the plus to enter a new message. Then either look up or enter a number. Enter the message. Hit send. Wait for her response. When I hear the response come in, hit the button at the top of the phone, slide the lock screen (or whatever it’s called) up, hit “Messaging”, read the message. Or… Hold down the button on the bottom of the phone for a second or two then, when it beeps say “call Suzy”, ask her what time she’s coming when she answers, hear her response, maybe exchange some other important details, then hang up. The conversation is quicker overall. Also we may exchange additional info we wouldn’t have thought of when texting because the conversation is more spontaneous and there are vocal emotional cues. It’s like a telephone versus a telegraph. Texting is good for asynchronous information that doesn’t necessarily require an immediate response. You have a moment free so you send it even though you know they may not see it immediately and may not answer immediately. Even then you could make an argument for voicemail. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684/60 "2012-03-25T13:58:35Z")
I’m with **davidm**. For time-critical stuff, or stuff that’s fairly complex, a one-minute call can replace dozens of confusing texts. People who say “I hate calling on the phone”, try just going “Hey Suzy, just a quick question 'cuz I’m in a rush - when are you coming? … OK, thanks, laters, bye.” That’s not really that nerve-wracking, is it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/text-messaging-doesnt-work-that-way/616684.md?page=4)