How do you deal with a text-a-holic?

[Presentation]

I don’t like texting. There, I said it.


I don’t like getting them and it’s extremely unlikely you will get a text reply from me.


No, I don’t want you to text me an update about your life, text me Merry Christmas or Happy New Years.


I have spent some time Googling and reading about texting etiquette. These are made by the cell phone companies. Surprise, surprise, nowhere do they say to not text people that don’t want to be texted.


After one person sent me text after text that were not to me, general type texts that I think were sent to everyone in their phone book as if texting is a alternative to facebook or a tweet, two other things I don’t care for but I can choose to not participate in those, I called the person and said to them “I’m not into texting, please call me whenever you need to reach me but please do not text me."

To say then conversation did not go well is an understatement.

I’d simply bock them but it’s an all or nothing thing. If I block them they cannot call or text.

My cell carrier, Verizon, does not offer text blocking, they offer number blocking. Since they are family I am afraid that would cause even worse issues. It may come to that but I’m seeking a softer and kinder suggestion.

Some people into texting seem to not get it that some people like me are not into texting.



So, does anyone have advice on how to deal with text-a-holics that send unwanted texts?

 

[Eeyore5]

I have Verizon and they do offer text blocking. I had it for awhile. Call the 1800 number on your statement and they should be able to help you.

 

[MushyMushy]

Ha! I feel the complete opposite -- I absolutely hate talking on the phone and would much rather somebody text me... unless it's something that requires more discussion. Then I'll talk, but as briefly as possible.

I'm not one to send forwards or chit chat.

 

[Donaldswife]

Verizon DOES offer text blocking, my Mom does not text so she had it done to her phone to prevent getting texts. You need to go back to the verizon store and have them do this for your phone.

 

[Presentation]

I have Verizon and they do offer text blocking. I had it for awhile. Call the 1800 number on your statement and they should be able to help you.

I do not see a way to do that at my online account but I will call them.

Thank you.


In a perfect world I could selectively block texts from specific numbers or only allow texts from specific numbers.

 

[Wall-E1]

Give them a taste of their own medicine. Texters generally prefer texting over talking. Therefore, you should call them multiple times throughout the day to fill them in on every inane detail of your daily life.

 

[figaromeetsmarie]

I prefer texting over talking on the phone. I text a lot for my job. It just makes it easier to communicate with several people at one time to get the job done and multi-task.

If you don't want to text then just text them back, call or email letting them know "I don't have a text messaging plan, and it costs me money to text you back."

 

[Presentation]

Give them a taste of their own medicine. Texters generally prefer texting over talking. Therefore, you should call them multiple times throughout the day to fill them in on every inane detail of your daily life.

I had not thought of that.

My idea was to mail them a note as a reply to their text……postage due.

One piece of mail for ever text…..always postage due.

 

[KristaTX]

Do you mean you don't like getting messages from text-a-holics, or from anyone at all? If you mean anyone, why not just turn texting off?

For true text-a-holics who routinely use it to send messages to multiple people at once, just text them back and ask/tell them not to send you any messages that they send out that are not personal to you. If they don't stop, then call them and ask them why they continue to hassle you with their texts.

I actually don't have anyone who sends me a lot of forwarded stuff or messages to multiple people. The only "group" texts I get are usually just photos from my mom or sister, and I like getting those from them.

Ha! I feel the complete opposite -- I absolutely hate talking on the phone and would much rather somebody text me... unless it's something that requires more discussion. Then I'll talk, but as briefly as possible.

I'm not one to send forwards or chit chat.

Me, too. I only like to talk to my husband or my mom on the phone. I'd much rather most anyone else text, e-mail, or IM me.

I would guess this is somewhat related to one's preferred learning style (e.g. auditory, visual, kinesthetic). I'm not an auditory learner at all. Maybe auditory learners like the phone better, but visual people like other forms of communication better .

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

Just a tidbit to throw in.... cell companies LOVE when you text instead of call. Texting is like extended warranties.... the highest profit items they sell. I read in a magazine that 100 average texts is equal to 1 minute of talking on a cell.

Text requires almost zero bandwidth.

 

[LisaR]

I prefer texting over talking on the phone. I text a lot for my job. It just makes it easier to communicate with several people at one time to get the job done and multi-task.

If you don't want to text then just text them back, call or email letting them know "I don't have a text messaging plan, and it costs me money to text you back."

I agree with this. If it is only one or two people that are bothering you, email or call them and tell them that you dropped texting from your phone so please don't text unless it is extremely important because you will have to pay for every text they send you.

If it is ALL texting that bothers you, you need to follow through on the above and actually cancel your texting and let everyone know that you did this so you don't really incur the fees.

 

[johnnymo99]

Just a tidbit to throw in.... cell companies LOVE when you text instead of call. Texting is like extended warranties.... the highest profit items they sell. I read in a magazine that 100 average texts is equal to 1 minute of talking on a cell.

Text requires almost zero bandwidth.

It actually costs the cell companies only 1/3 of a cent per text. For what they charge per text or texting plan it is indeed their highest profit maker.

 

[superme80]

If you don't have text I would send them a bill for all the messages they are costing you. I had to do this when people would text me before I got text messaging or when they send me photo messages.

 

[aprilgail2]

Ha! I feel the complete opposite -- I absolutely hate talking on the phone and would much rather somebody text me... unless it's something that requires more discussion. Then I'll talk, but as briefly as possible.

I'm not one to send forwards or chit chat.

I agree--I tend not to answer if someone calls me and I will text them a bit later seeing what they wanted. I would much much rather text than talk on the phone!

 

[bicker]

Ha! I feel the complete opposite -- I absolutely hate talking on the phone and would much rather somebody text me... unless it's something that requires more discussion. Then I'll talk, but as briefly as possible.

Me too. I view the telephone as a means for leaving voice mail, or reporting an emergency, nothing more. If you want to share a conversation with me, let's exchange email (like writing letters to each other, in the olden days). If you need to just check in with me, the send a TXT.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I don't have texting on our phone plan, and I don't text.

I limit the number of people who have our cell number. Most people who call will use our landline, which is fine with me.

If I do give someone our cell number, I tell them right off the bat that texting isn't on our plan and I don't open text messages. We've had only a few people send a text message, so texting hasn't been an issue for us.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would guess this is somewhat related to one's preferred learning style (e.g. auditory, visual, kinesthetic). I'm not an auditory learner at all. Maybe auditory learners like the phone better, but visual people like other forms of communication better .

That is an interesting thought. My 14yodd is a total auditory learner. She is not "into" texting like her peers although she knows how to on her phone.

Also funny you should say that she uses skype on her computer over IMing.

You might be on to something.....

 

[Angelhalo]

Ha! I feel the complete opposite -- I absolutely hate talking on the phone and would much rather somebody text me... unless it's something that requires more discussion. Then I'll talk, but as briefly as possible.

I'm not one to send forwards or chit chat.

I agree. I'd MUCH rather text than get stuck in a phone conversation!

OP I have asked some friends who don't text. They all say, just suck it up, ignore the texts and move on with life. No need to get your feathers ruffled over it. Just delete them and move on.

 

[MushyMushy]

I would guess this is somewhat related to one's preferred learning style (e.g. auditory, visual, kinesthetic). I'm not an auditory learner at all. Maybe auditory learners like the phone better, but visual people like other forms of communication better .

That's a really interesting thought! We should get grant money to do a research study. Hey, why not?

But, yes, I'm a visual learner for sure. Usually anything auditory goes right in one ear and out the other. I can't retain it the same way. In a classroom, I have to take notes to read back to myself.

Anyway, OP, sorry for the hijack. It was an intriguing thought. Do you know if you are auditory or visual?

 

[MiniGirl]

I agree. I'd MUCH rather text than get stuck in a phone conversation!

OP I have asked some friends who don't text. They all say, just suck it up, ignore the texts and move on with life. No need to get your feathers ruffled over it. Just delete them and move on.

I disagree with this. We don't text, so did not get any texting as part of our plan. Whenever someone would text me, it cost me money. If I knew a serial texter, it would cost me quite a bit of money. In fact, we started getting tons of stock tips in text form and ended up having to block all texts on our phones. Now, if I had unlimited texting, then yes. I would just delete, but not as it stands now.