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

[Disney Doll]

Block texting from your phone if you don't want to get it at all.
See if you can only block certain people if you only don't want texts from them, if your carrier allows it.

If the serial texter continues to text you, ignore them. Don't respond. When they finally call or see you in person and ask why you don't respond to their texts, you simply have to say :"I told you a while back I don't text."

 

[tlbwriter]

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.

That would be funny. "Hey, I just got a text from you, and I never read texts, so I called to see what you wanted to tell me. Oh, you're taking Friday off? That's nice. Guess what I'm doing this weekend? Well, first, I'm going to do a lot of laundry...blah blah blah."

I like to text people partially because I have phone phobia, and partially because I don't have to worry about interrupting them when they're busy doing something else. But I would never text someone who told me they didn't want to receive them. In fact, I only text people who have texted me first.

 

[golfgal]

I love texting. I think it is one of the best inventions of modern times, right after the cell phone. I find that the only people that really don't like texting just aren't good at it and can't stand not to be good at something. It's amazing how their viewpoint changes with a Qwerty keyboard. Texting is less intrusive, more convenient and like others have said, less expensive. With the number of text messages kids send, I am surprised that cell phone companies make money on texting plans . I could drop phone coverage altogether and just have texting.

 

[bicker]

Texting is less intrusive

This cannot be overstated: The doorbell and the telephone were designed as horrible communications mechanisms IMHO, essentially giving the caller remote control over the person being called. Communication should work the other way: The person who wants to communicate should queue their desire up, along with the other things that the personal being called may already be doing. Beckoning someone to serve your need to talk, by ringing an annoying bell, insisting on immediate satisfaction, would be considered just-plain-rude under other circumstances.

TXTing allows the person who wants to communicate to submit their comment for inclusion with the things that the person they're trying to communicate with is currently doing. Then that person can get to that message as soon as they're able, in full consideration of the relative priority of all the things that they're doing. That's far superior.

And I'll often TXT: "Hey, L, I need to chat with you about Requirement XYZ123. Is this a good time to talk?" And then I wait, first until L can get to my inquiry, and then until she says it is a good time, and then we call each other (voice), if necessary, to discuss the requirement.

I think the advantages of TXTing are generally undersold, which was puzzling to me, until I thought about it a bit more. TXTing is really the favored mechanism of younger folks; if TXTing becomes truly mainstream, then the value of TXTing as a rebellious measure would plummet for teens!

 

[powellrj]

It sounds like they need a twitter account. I don't mind short sweet texts like the ones from my kids telling me what time to pick them up, that kind of thing, but I don't want to carry on a conversation.

 

[golfgal]

This cannot be overstated: The doorbell and the telephone were designed as horrible communications mechanisms IMHO, essentially giving the caller remote control over the person being called. Communication should work the other way: The person who wants to communicate should queue their desire up, along with the other things that the personal being called may already be doing. Beckoning someone to serve your need to talk, by ringing an annoying bell, insisting on immediate satisfaction, would be considered just-plain-rude under other circumstances.

TXTing allows the person who wants to communicate to submit their comment for inclusion with the things that the person they're trying to communicate with is currently doing. Then that person can get to that message as soon as they're able, in full consideration of the relative priority of all the things that they're doing. That's far superior.

And I'll often TXT: "Hey, L, I need to chat with you about Requirement XYZ123. Is this a good time to talk?" And then I wait, first until L can get to my inquiry, and then until she says it is a good time, and then we call each other (voice), if necessary, to discuss the requirement.

I think the advantages of TXTing are generally undersold, which was puzzling to me, until I thought about it a bit more. TXTing is really the favored mechanism of younger folks; if TXTing becomes truly mainstream, then the value of TXTing as a rebellious measure would plummet for teens!

I send the kids texts while at school all the time. They are allowed to use phones during lunch and passing times between classes so I can send them one and they answer back when they can. For DS18, away at college, a quick text saying, Skype when you get back to your room, or call me when you can, etc. Same with DH and I at work. It is much easier to send a quick text about something then a phone call, voice message, etc.

A lot of people don't like change and it really comes down to that. I am looking forward to the day when we can drop our home phone line .

 

[tlbwriter]

This cannot be overstated: The doorbell and the telephone were designed as horrible communications mechanisms IMHO, essentially giving the caller remote control over the person being called.

Especially when someone (cough my husband cough) feels they MUST answer the phone if they know the person who is calling, no matter what. I wish he could take a cue from my nephew, who will glance at his caller ID, say "I don't want to talk to you right now," and decline to answer.

 

[shortbun]

I have a very active phone and texting life but I know noone who texts garbage to me. Must be your circle of friends. We mostly text and if a phone call is needed, a text to set it up might happen. Texts are impersonal but save a ton of time if all that is needed is confirmation of a date, time, info. Texting is wonderful!!!

 

[design_mom]

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."

This has worked well for me, too. My sister and SIL are both text-a-holics, but they never text me because I don't have a texting plan. I told them "please call, because it costs me money whenever you text me." and they have. (It costs me 10¢ to send a text *and* 10¢ to receive one.) I think they wish I had texting--and sometimes I do, too, but then I'd probably be a text-a-holic, too)--but they haven't given me much hassle about it... and they don't text me anymore.

 

[shortbun]

I recently had a conversation with my brother where he was complaining that his son, in college and very busy, never calls him. I said," I text him all the time just to keep in touch." My brother says, "I do not text!!!" in a very proud and firm voice. "OK" says I, and I thought to myself that my brother was old, rigid and cutting off his nose to spite his face, kwim? Why, if you have a child who texts religiously, would you NOT learn to text??? He is dying to hear from his son yet refuses to do a simple thing that would connect him to his child probably more often than necessary.
And before you say, it costs money...my brother has unlimited texting on his plan.

 

[golfgal]

I recently had a conversation with my brother where he was complaining that his son, in college and very busy, never calls him. I said," I text him all the time just to keep in touch." My brother says, "I do not text!!!" in a very proud and firm voice. "OK" says I, and I thought to myself that my brother was old, rigid and cutting off his nose to spite his face, kwim? Why, if you have a child who texts religiously, would you NOT learn to text??? He is dying to hear from his son yet refuses to do a simple thing that would connect him to his child probably more often than necessary.
And before you say, it costs money...my brother has unlimited texting on his plan.

I hear this a LOT from parents of college students. Maybe Dad is calling in the middle of class or whatever. I agree, text, they will answer. We rarely call DS18, but text frequently. Usually the only time we call is if we are making plans to pick him up or more complicated issues that just takes too long in a text.

I have a very active phone and texting life but I know noone who texts garbage to me. Must be your circle of friends. We mostly text and if a phone call is needed, a text to set it up might happen. Texts are impersonal but save a ton of time if all that is needed is confirmation of a date, time, info. Texting is wonderful!!!

Me either.

 

[krcit]

I have a very active phone and texting life but I know noone who texts garbage to me. Must be your circle of friends. We mostly text and if a phone call is needed, a text to set it up might happen. Texts are impersonal but save a ton of time if all that is needed is confirmation of a date, time, info. Texting is wonderful!!!

Texting has also been a great thing for me and my best friend right now. She is in the hospital and has been for the past month. I text her to see if she is awake and up fpr a phone call or even better an oovu session. It's less intrusive than calling her hospital room. She has also used it to send a group text to keep us advised of her condition. I was a slow convert to texting but now I love it. So great to just send a quick message to my kids or friends when talking on the phone isn't convenient.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Since you do not want to text or receive texts, I would block all texts from your phone.

Seems like an easy solution to me.

 

[bicker]

Especially when someone (cough my husband cough) feels they MUST answer the phone if they know the person who is calling, no matter what. I wish he could take a cue from my nephew, who will glance at his caller ID, say "I don't want to talk to you right now," and decline to answer.

Part of the problem is that you're not always someplace where you can see the Caller ID. Rushing to see who is calling is just about as annoying as picking up the phone and hanging up on a telemarketer.

Also, sometimes Caller ID simply doesn't come through. (We have our service set to deny calls where Caller ID is not provided, but yet still get calls that show bogus data, like 000-000-0000.) If it was consistent - every call from a person I knew did have Caller ID and very clearly identified them (by name - I don't remember everyone's home phone number, office phone number and cell phone number), then that would be one thing, but about half of the cases where I don't recognize the Caller ID is someone I actually know.

 

[NotUrsula]

AFAIC, it's a tool, like any other tool. I use it when it's most appropriate (for leaving short messages, especially those w/ detail, like phone numbers, addresses, etc.), and I don't use it when it is not. I *do* pay for them on my phone, but I pay for talk minutes, too, and the texting is the cheaper of the two. (And before someone tells me that I should go with a contract plan, I like it this way -- it's much cheaper for me overall because I really don't need to use the phone very much at all.) On average I send/receive about 10 messages per week.

The one single place where I find texting most invaluable? WDW. I'm somewhat hard of hearing, and the ambient noise in the parks makes it essentially impossible for me to make voice calls there. It took forever to convert DH (who hates to text b/c he's fat-fingered, and prefers voicemail), but after waiting for me forever outside an attraction, he's learned that it is by far the best option.

Voicemail is my personal circle of Hell. It takes forever to connect to the box and plod my way through the menu tree, so most of the time I don't bother to listen to the message if I think that it is likely that the person will answer if I just call back. I try to get it through to my friends and family that if you just want to leave me a message that does NOT require a reply, PLEASE send it via text.

 

[tlbwriter]

Also, sometimes Caller ID simply doesn't come through. (We have our service set to deny calls where Caller ID is not provided, but yet still get calls that show bogus data, like 000-000-0000.) If it was consistent - every call from a person I knew did have Caller ID and very clearly identified them (by name - I don't remember everyone's home phone number, office phone number and cell phone number), then that would be one thing, but about half of the cases where I don't recognize the Caller ID is someone I actually know.

We never answer calls that are "unknown" or "unavailable." If it's actually someone we want to talk to, they'll leave a message, but in our case, we haven't had the problem of known callers with "unknown" caller ID.

 

[MELSMICE]

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.

Same here.

I rarely make a phone call unless it's necessary. I will call family members to chat when I'm on my way to my studio at times, but I'm not a phone person.

am looking forward to the day when we can drop our home phone line .

DH & I were just talking about this the other day. The main calls we get on our home phone are solicitors or DH's parents & they both have cell phones.

There is little reason for us to continue to have a home phone.

 

[bicker]

Voicemail is my personal circle of Hell. ... I try to get it through to my friends and family that if you just want to leave me a message that does NOT require a reply, PLEASE send it via text.

Hmmm... maybe I'll change my voicemail message to, "I'm sorry that I missed your call. If you would like to leave a message, please send me a TXT. If you prefer you can send me a TXT via email to my phone number 'at' txt.att.com."

 

[scrapquitler]

Since you do not want to text or receive texts, I would block all texts from your phone.

Seems like an easy solution to me.

This is the simplest and most logical solution

The wireless carrier can and WILL block all texts (from all numbers) and you never have to worry about getting another text again. I had texts blocked before I discovered the joys of texting (so much nicer to text than talk, more convinient and on MY schedule). My MIL has texting blocked and always complains that she never hears from us...we don't talk that much on our phones, we text

 

[golfgal]

Same here.

I rarely make a phone call unless it's necessary. I will call family members to chat when I'm on my way to my studio at times, but I'm not a phone person.


DH & I were just talking about this the other day. The main calls we get on our home phone are solicitors or DH's parents & they both have cell phones.

There is little reason for us to continue to have a home phone.

The only reason we haven't dropped our home phone is that we want to use a cell phone as our home phone (our home phones are cell capable) and we are maxed out on the number of phones allowed on our plan. Once DS18 is out of school and off our plan we will switch over.