Maybe or maybe not, but most likely, I’d just rather text you.
If you had your choice, would you text or call someone? Do you spend more time on the phone actually talking or texting?
I remember the “good ol’ days” of actually using a phone to communicate. Or even the REALLY old days of using these:
It suddenly occurred to me, however, that I have become so accustomed to texting that I actually avoid phone calls. As a form of communication, I avoid the phone all together with the exception of texting.
This also made me realize that texting is a full-blown habit…..or addiction.
I can tell you that if you call me, don’t expect me to answer. And unless it is really necessary, don’t expect me to call you back. It’s nothing personal.
It’s not you, it’s me.
I am actually a very social person. I can be a bit private at times, as fas as, I don’t really like surprise visits at home. Other than that, I enjoy interacting with others, I love having friends, I love catching up. So what is the issue??
I could blame it on having a child. Truth is, it is sometimes very hard to talk on the phone with a toddler. I’m constantly correcting him, playing with him or whatever attention he is requiring which doesn’t allow much of my attention to the person on the phone. Not only is this annoying to me, but I am very sure it is annoying to the person on the other end of the line.
So, how about when he is in bed? Well, by then I’m usually fried. I want to veg on the couch watching brainless television with M trying to decompress from the day. If I don’t get to decompress, I have a difficult time falling asleep. I have a very active mind that has a hard time “shutting off” when I go to bed. I’m surprised I’m not an insomniac. But, I have found that this time to decompress helps me to relax which in turn helps me sleep.
What about on the weekend when M is home? Okay, you may have me on that one because that is definitely more feasible. I usually just get caught up in spending time with my boys, but I would be more apt to take a call.
And here is where I become anti-social or just lazy?
I don’t want to talk on the phone. It’s not that I’m not thinking of someone or want to chat. I just don’t want to actually, physically talk.
Why don’t I WANT to call people? I will text all day, any day, but actually pick up the phone? Who does that? Not, this girl. Let’s not get too crazy though. I’m not this bad:
Has technology made us a less social as a society?
Do we communicate less verbally and more with our phones, tablets or computers?
Inquiring minds want to know ;-)
I’m the same! If I got a surprise visitor, I wouldn’t open the door ;) And I hate talking on the phone - text or fb messages, please!
Ahh! So it’s not just me?! ;-)
Nope, you’re definitely not alone on this one!
Lol I hate talking on the phone. I’d rather text or FB chat or preferably be in person, but I refuse to call people, It’s weird haha.
Exactly!!!! I feel the same way and it also seems weird to me too. But I’m starting to feel more normal knowing I’m not alone. haha
It’s the same with me. I rarely pick up calls at home and I don’t like talking on my mobile. But I don’t actually like texting either, I prefer calling and getting the message across clearly in a few seconds rather than sending countless texts which could result in a lot of misunderstandings!! I’m more traditional when it comes to communicating…whenever possible, if you have something to tell me, then let’s speak face to face :)
Face to face is definitely much better!
I hate answering the landline! Mobile is not so bad, as long as I know who it is. I would MUCH rather text though… except I usually have no credit. Basically I just fail at communication ;-)
Lol. I’m wondering if a lot of people in Germany have that issue. It’s much different in the states.
I’m an older generation, but I’ve noticed the change from “love to talk on the phone” to “don’t call - text me” in my own behavior since moving to Norway almost seven years ago … and now, when visiting in the States, my US cell phone will show many text messages, and *maybe* one quick call to a family member I’m not visiting, at the end of a three or four week visit.
You definitely are not alone with this one!
My mom actually brought up how I used to love to talk on the phone and now I only text. It’s a societal transition I think.
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I switched to texting only when I moved overseas to London. With pay as you go phones, it was so much less expensive to text than to call. That habit stuck. As much as I like a proper catch up with people, I prefer to do it in person, or at least on Skype where I don’t have to have a device glued to my ear!
Yes I most definitely prefer face to face. The ideal for me is maybe some texts here and there and texting to set up plans to meet up and catch up. :-)
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This is too funny. I only started texting after I got a mobile with a full keyboard which was about 3 years ago (I’m late to the game in that way), but I still don’t do it that much. And I don’t really like to talk on the phone. I think I just get antsy. But now that I have a smart phone, I am just all over the place and on the stupid thing probably too much with FB, Twitter, and other apps.
As for the surprise visits, well, I might not mind them if they weren’t always strangers at my door. ;)
Haha! That’s right! You always have people stopping by.
The ease of texting and smart phone technology has definitely changed up the ball game.
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Oh wow, I am exactly the same! I went through a period of about a year at 19 where I refused to answer the phone to anyone and told them it was intrusive on my daily life. Hahah.
I am better now but I do get this weird “ugh” feeling whenever someone calls, I think it’s because it’s so time consuming and restricting in comparison to texts.
Oh!! That is the perfect way to explain it! I can text and still multi-task but while on the phone it’s very restricting. Good point!!
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Ditto. I hate talking to people over the phone! I much prefer face-to-face. Or letters. Letters are even better.
Letters are awesome. Do people still write letters? :-)
You are NOT alone in this, obviously. lol. I hate talking on the phone. Texting is entirely too convenient. Plus, you can end the conversation (or avoid it) whenever you want. It’s always awkward to cut someone off when they are talking on the phone. ha ha.
That’s another good point! You can talk at your convenience instead having to have a conversation when you’re maybe too busy for one.
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Ha, I do know what you mean. I am not a big talker on the phone either, I prefer email or text messaging as well.
That seems to be the general consensus. I write about such random things sometimes but they all play a part in my life as an expat. This one for sure! Between friends back home not keeping in touch and friends here doing the same. I was curious to see what others thought about texting.
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Yep, it is definitely the same with me. I don’t know what it is but talking on the phone for me is somewhat awkward, I guess. It’s no problem talking face to face with someone, I enjoy that but the phone is just different. Texting is like a “get out of talking on the phone” free pass :)
I prefer to text, but also HATE when people attempt whole conversations without picking up the phone. To me, it´s about efficiency. If it´s quick? Text me. If it´s a conversation? Let´s just chat. I like to hear laughter. LOL or HAHAHA is just not the same.
I was once planning an event with a guy who refused to call me. One can not plan an event involving participating restaurants, police presence, porta potties, rented tables and chairs, volunteers, ALL by text. Though he tried. After repeatedly begging him to stop sending drawn out texts (I would get like 5 in a row) to either call, or email me. I ended up quitting. Scrolling through texts just became too annoying.
That said, and again, I prefer to text, when I call someone and they text me back, I find it insulting. Like, you don´t have the time to pick up the phone? You can´t be bothered to actually speak to me? URGH.
Oh I completely agree especially in that situation!! Some things are just too important or too detailed to text.
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Dude, I totally have a box of folded notes just like that somewhere in the stuff we packed and left in the States :) Oh the days of note passing.
Lol! I used to have some for the longest time too! I’ve moved so many times thought things get lost and those definitely did.
You so hit the nail on the head with this post. Though I don’t really like texting that much, and I like a good phone call once in a while, for the most part I feel like I just don’t want to pick up the phone, especially when I know it’s a long-winded caller! As a working woman in a country of mostly stay-at-home moms, my phone usually ends up ringing in the evening, once my friends’ husbands have arrived back home to keep an eye on the kids for a bit. This is usually when I’m getting home as well, and I just want a few hours to spend with my family, not with my phone wedged between my ear and shoulder as I try to chop potatoes and rinse greens for dinner. What I most hate is when people dial my landline immediately after dialing my mobile, and vice versa. News flash … I have call display on both. If I didn’t pick up its because I could or wouldn’t. I actually miss plain the days when call display was a Star Trek concept and answering machines/services were for hotels only. It was nice to be able to just ‘miss’ a call and be unavailable. Thank you so much for this post and for allowing me to share this … Felt great to air this dirty secret!
I was thinking the other day about how I can’t ever leave the house without my cell and how not that long ago, I didn’t even have one. You weren’t home, well you weren’t home. Leave a message.
Lol! Dirty little secret! That’s what the title for this should’ve been! :-)
It is really hard to have a conversation when there’s a toddler in town. Then when you do get time to yourself, phone conversations aren’t always your priority! Face to face is always the best but not always possible for us expats ;)
Definitely not always possible for us. Im thankful for whatsapp! ;-)