Today's Burning Question of the Day was blatantly stolen from one of the recent BlogHer Book Club discussions about Diary of a Mad Fat Girl. And it's a simple one, but a debate for the ages:
Would you prefer to call or to text someone?
My answer is to text, and it's not even close. Justin doesn't understand this AT ALL, and would generally rather call. I've never been a big phone person, but between the long-distance relationship with Justin in college, a couple customer service jobs that involved a LOT of phone time, and a screaming toddler, I usually would rather text than talk on the phone.
With a text, I don't have a screaming toddler running about begging to talk on the phone. Being able to actually HEAR is not a requirement, and I have the time to actually compose a coherent thought. Also, if the person I'm texting has kids, I don't have to worry about the call waking someone up at nap time.
And if it's too long to text, I generally prefer email or Facebook for all the same reasons. Plus, when it comes to making plans with friends or scheduling a photo shoot, I have a record of what and when. 'Cause if I'm talking on the phone, I'll probably have to get off abruptly due to a tantrum, and probably forget to write down what I've just agreed to. Though, I do probably need to get better about getting on the phone with people about photo shoots, since I do think the phone can sometimes build a relationship more quickly. Similarly, Kait and I usually text, but end up getting on the phone once a month (or sometimes once every two months), and I do like catching up with her occasionally on the phone like that.
But for day-to-day stuff? Texting, hands down.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
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I'm with you all the way. I hate the phone with a burning passion. I always prefer texting. My friends know calls to me are futile because I never answer. If you wanna talk to me, you gotta text me. My voicemail even says I don't listen to my messages, so send me a text!
ReplyDeleteI do have a friend who doesn't have texting (what?!) so she always emails me. :) With a smart phone, that's basically the same as a text!
That's a good question! I guess I've never really thought about it. Right now I'd rather call or email, but once our baby comes I'm sure texting will be preferred, just like you say for convenience and focus.
ReplyDeleteI've never been much of a phone person. Texting was one of the best inventions for my social life. :)
ReplyDeleteTexting, hands down! Since I'm an introvert, texting is pretty much the only chance I have at a social life. Well, that and facebook.
ReplyDeleteI *will* talk on the phone from time to time. BUT, only if I really, really like you. Or, if it's really, really important. Or, if it's my mom. I would never hear the end of it if I didn't answer the phone for my mom. :)
Totally agree on texting. I HATE talking on the phone. I used to love it, but now I can't stand it. I'm pretty bad at keeping in touch because of this... :(
ReplyDeleteI definitely prefer texting over making a call but I'm 100% more likely to talk to you over the phone than by email. I send so many emails at work that I prefer not to do it for fun at home.
ReplyDeleteI've never neve been much of a phone person.
ReplyDeleteIt all started the year of my exchange program, mostly coz I couldn't afford to call fam or friends so I got use to e-mailing in an daily/weekly basis.
Then I had my 1st. job as a Receptionist at this crazy place where had to answer 987654321 calls/day and that is when I really started to loathe it.
So since then I have been a 100% text person, a lot of it because of similar reasons as you. I always feel like I'd be getting in the way of something if call (unless it's during office hours and for work purposes)you know, a nap, a meeting,or something like that. So a simple text works it's magic.
It depends for me. If I'm making plans with someone, I prefer the phone. But for any other reason in the world, I prefer texting. I have no idea why, that's just how my weirdo self is. I really hate talking on the phone, so it's just that instance that I don't mind it. I'm strange, I know.
ReplyDeleteI call if I want to catch up with someone, or if the thought I want to communicate is simultaneously long and of immediate need. If I just want an answer to a question--"Want to go to dinner later?"--I'll just text, because it allows me to dispense with all the extraneous BS I don't want to take the time to go through anyway.
ReplyDeletei increasingly appreciate the ease of texting ... like you, i am usually interrupted on the phone. i also have the internal sense of knowing that, any minute, it will be naptime/feeding time/schooling time, etc ... so that is hanging over my head and i don't feel great freedom to just get lost in a phone call.
ReplyDeletemost of all, i appreciate face-to-face hands down, if given the choice ... :)
I felt like I was the last person to get a smart phone in 2008. I had an old nextel and we weren't willing to give up the walkie service. Now that I have an iphone it seems almost pointless to use it for anything "phone" related. Between texting, facebook, email, and twitter if you don't know what's going on with "me" or "us" then I dont have the time to explain over again LOL.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally the same. I'd much prefer to text or email/PM if it's a longer message. I really hate talking on the phone. I know that's maybe not the most socially acceptable thing to say, but yeah, I really hate talking on the phone. Whenever my phone rings I get annoyed. I hate being interrupted and phone calls ALWAYS take longer than texting, which you can do at your convenience.
ReplyDelete