Have people's phone conversations changed differently today than in the past?

[DodgerGirl]

I have noticed when people call anyone on the phone no matter if it's a relative or a best friend that phone conversations have become different today than they used to be in the past and I would like to know if anybody has noticed this today? It used to be that phone conversations were simple and you would say a simple "Hi How Are You Doing Today" and then your friends or relatives would talk about the latest stuff they did during the week. But now if you look at phone conversations today they are not what they used to be and I can't figure that out? Like if you talk to anyone on the phone it seems the number one topic that they are obsessed is health and it seems that when you talk to anyone they talk about illnesses and to me if you talk to someone on the telephone all they talk about is their illnesses and if I had a telephone and I called my friends if I had an illness I would simply change the subject because it is not good manners to discuss sicknesses and ill relatives. Another thing that friends and relatives always use as conversation starters when you call them on the phone is if you have a crush and I cannot see when asking about your crushes became a hot topic. I would say if I had a crush I would just tell my relatives that he was a friend of mine but it is very impolite to ask about crushes in my opinion. I wish the days of good phone conversations would return today because it was always wonderful to have a wonderful conversation about wonderful and exciting things with friends and relatives

 

[AgentMama]

I think talking about health is an age thing, as we all get older we have health probelms we didn't have as we were younger. I can remember my parents talking about health with their friends and family when I was younger.

Can't comment on the crushes thing, that doesn't happen in my friend or family group and sounds intrusive.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I agree with @AgentMama talking about your health becomes more common as you age.

As for the crush that is odd and my friends and family have never talked about that. A good friend became engaged this weekend and lots of people congratulated them, which is normal to me. Seems immature that adult even talk about crushes, I think the last time a friend used that term was middle school. How would others even know this?

 

[SirDuff]

Maybe they think you're interested in discussing crushes? It seems you mention yours in at least half of your posts here.

 

[amcnj]

Definitely agree with the talk of medical issues being an age thing. Even when I was a kid, it was kind of a standard joke that the elderly talked about all their ailments. I vowed not to do so myself, but find even if I don’t bring the topic up, others ask me about such things. Ah for the good old days, when I was young and the weather was the main “killing time” topic!

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Yes, I believe it is an age thing. It was not long ago, one of our friends 80+ year old father pointed this out. He was like "You know what us old people talk about all the time"? pause "our aches and pains".

 

[sam_gordon]

So you ask "How are you doing?", but they're not supposed to talk about health/illness? If you don't want to discuss that, don't ask.

And yes, as others have said, as you get older, health/illness becomes a bigger factor in your life.

As far as asking about crushes, that would depend on past conversations and the relationship (between the callers). Coworkers aren't going to ask about crushes.

 

[Disneylover99]

Phone conversations are forever changing. People are always going to talk about whatever it is that’s on their mind, influenced by their age, their job, what’s happening in the news, etc….

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I remember talking on the phone for hours before cell phones became standard. Now I often prefer to text. When I do talk on the phone it’s often about something serious, or to just “catch up”, and usually only with certain people. People do tend to talk to me about their health issues. I don’t mind unless they keep going around in circles over and over saying the same thing without really listening. I agree health issues are a more common topic as we age. Not sure about crushes, lol.

 

[nw6675]

What are these phone calls you speak of now? I avoid them at all costs!

But like @Pea-n-Me I used to spend hours on the phone before cell phones. Crushes were the main topic when I was a teen. When I chat now it's often health and weather related.

 

[_19disnA]

Probably as you get older there are different things to talk about. If you have young children there are probably many things to talk about especially if you don't see that other person frequently. If you have college age children the nature of the conversation would likely be different then when talking about youngsters. As your parents/grandparents age, there are more things regarding their health to talk about where significant health issues are probably rare with those who are younger.

I still prefer to use my phone if I want to have an actual conversation with someone. Texting is annoying, screen too small and takes too long to tap out the words with that annoying auto-correct constantly inserting the wrong words. Always have to double check before I hit send to avoid sending gibberish. Then the other person may have already replied to a prior question and the back-and-forth gets all jumbled. Texting to me is ok for confirming prior plans (are we going to meet today @ noon for lunch?) or yes/no type questions. I can't have what I consider an actual convesation by sending texts.

 

[BrianL]

I think talking about health is an age thing, as we all get older we have health probelms we didn't have as we were younger. I can remember my parents talking about health with their friends and family when I was younger.

Can't comment on the crushes thing, that doesn't happen in my friend or family group and sounds intrusive.

I remember when I was younger, one of my mom's friends sad that you know you're old when you talk about your bowel movements at the dinner table. I didn't get it then, but I do now.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

I think it all depends on who you’re talking to.

 

[Dan Murphy]

My actual phone conversations today are pretty much with family, Marie, Natalie, Vince, grandkids. I've never been a phone 'gabber', other than when I was dating Marie, many, many years ago.

 

[gmi3804]

Someday we'll date ourselves by calling our devices "phones."

 

[Mysterian]

Thing of the past:

 

[Moliphino]

I try to avoid phone calls at all costs. Just text me.

 

[tvguy]

What are these phone calls you speak of now? I avoid them at all costs!

But like @Pea-n-Me I used to spend hours on the phone before cell phones. Crushes were the main topic when I was a teen. When I chat now it's often health and weather related.

LOL. As my mom's siblings aged, they switched to phone calls to keep in touch with her and she hated it. She wanted a LETTER. As she put it, she could re-read a letter and enjoy it for days after receiving it. Her siblings were all in Canada, and must have much cheaper long distance rates than my mom could get. She returned a call from her baby sister and probably chatted for 90 minutes and the bill came to $45!.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Absolutely no one I talk to does so by a phone call. We text each other or do a video chat. In general I try to avoid talking on the phone.

In a similar vein if I get a call from a number I don't recognize, I don't pick up.

 

[tvguy]

In a similar vein if I get a call from a number I don't recognize, I don't pick up.

If there is a number displayed, THAT is when I am most likely to let a call go to voice mail since everyone in my family has blocked IDs. I've had some medical issues recently and have discovered many Doctors have blocked IDs too. So basically, I can't NOT answer my phone.