I hate the telephone

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

It's just a method of putting you on the spot, as far as I'm concerned. I vastly prefer text message or eMail.

Just thinking of that, my ex-gf had a nasty little trick - her mobile phone registered whenI had received and read her text messages, so she knew if I was taking time out to respond to her!

 

[Moliphino]

I turn off any of those things (read receipts, the ability to see when I'm typing, etc.). Nobody needs to know that.
I also hate phone calls.

 

[tvguy]

I hate texts. What would be a 30 second conversation turns into a 10 minute exchange of texts.

 

[fla4fun]

It's just a method of putting you on the spot, as far as I'm concerned. I vastly prefer text message or eMail.

I hate texts. What would be a 30 second conversation turns into a 10 minute exchange of texts.

I think they all have their place.

I agree that I don’t like to just be interrupted by a call out of the blue, but sometimes it’s better to talk than to have a long text conversation. I prefer someone text me to call them about XYZ when I have time, so I can be prepared and relaxed for the conversation. That way I can let them know if it’s convenient to talk and if not, when it will be convenient.

For a short message, I prefer a text. I don’t need a call when the whole conversation is only a couple of sentences.

I like email if there are a lot of details to remember, like if a friend wants to share a recipe. Sometimes there’s just too much info to process in a call or a text, and you want the ability to print or save the information.

 

[mumto3girls]

Me too.

 

[CynBeth]

I do not like calls either much prefer e-mail I hate being put on the spot. For example If it is someone in a group I am in or a committee at my place of worship that can be difficult I have time to think about the right thing to say in the response. We have a landline that we only answer if we know the person and I pretty much just use my cell phone to get a text with a security code for work and a few other things or for an emergency while away so do not text very often but would even prefer that to a call.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think they all have their place.

I agree that I don’t like to just be interrupted by a call out of the blue, but sometimes it’s better to talk than to have a long text conversation. I prefer someone text me to call them about XYZ when I have time, so I can be prepared and relaxed for the conversation. That way I can let them know if it’s convenient to talk and if not, when it will be convenient.

For a short message, I prefer a text. I don’t need a call when the whole conversation is only a couple of sentences.

I like email if there are a lot of details to remember, like if a friend wants to share a recipe. Sometimes there’s just too much info to process in a call or a text, and you want the ability to print or save the information.

Well said! Calls, texts, and emails all have their place. Texts and emails can be misread because you can't "read" tone. Texts are great for quick notes that don't necessarily need a response (or just an 'ok'). "Heading home", "Pick up some milk on your way", that don't really require a phone call.

Phone calls are better when you need more back and forth, more detail, or quicker response (yes, quicker than text).

 

[tony67]

No issues with texts - I ignore the phone ringing now, the only people who call my land line now are telemarketers, if its important they will leave a message and it will be sent to me in text. Even those "landlines" are now basically free VOIP numbers with a device so it rings the land line - similar to Vonage but far cheaper.

Everyone I want to talk to knows to text me first and see if I have time to talk etc...

This is somewhat standard etiquette now IMO - and no I'm not a millennial or zoomer.
Also for the most part men don't just chat on the phone - so another reason I just want a text and keep it simple.

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Somewhat agree. I think having the option to talk is great but I also sometimes don’t want to lol.

I will say landlines should become a thing of the past! I’ve practically switched everything over. And it would save money with wifi and cable!

 

[kdonnel]

Texts and emails are asynchronous.

Calls are synchronous.

It becomes problematic when people expect texts and emails to be synchronous. If you need an immediate response, call. Otherwise don't expect an immediate response.

 

[Babs Johnson]

I hate texts. What would be a 30 second conversation turns into a 10 minute exchange of texts.

I don’t hate texts if the message is clear and precise. But, yeah, many are vague are require too much back and forth.

 

[Moliphino]

Another benefit of text/email/messaging is that you have a record for future reference, usually searchable. If someone later claims you or they said something different you have receipts to prove them wrong.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Being an extreme introvert, I prefer to text. I squirm when I have to make a phone call.

 

[tvguy]

I don’t hate texts if the message is clear and precise. But, yeah, many are vague are require too much back and forth.

The example I always use is this:
10 SECOND PHONE CALL "Can you pickup milk on the way home?" Yes, non-fat, 1%, 2% or whole? Non-fat. Gallon, or half gallon? Half Gallon. Got it, bye"

2-3 MINUTES OF TEXTS (assuming I am not driving and having to pull off the road to read and send texts)
TEXT 1 Can you pickup some milk?
TEXT 2. Yes, non-fat, 2% or whole? .
TEXT 3 Non Fat
TEXT 4 Gallon or half Gallon
TEXT 5 Half gallon.
TEXT 6 Got it.

 

[TikiRob]

The example I always use is this:
10 SECOND PHONE CALL "Can you pickup milk on the way home?" Yes, non-fat, 1%, 2% or whole? Non-fat. Gallon, or half gallon? Half Gallon. Got it, bye"

2-3 MINUTES OF TEXTS (assuming I am not driving and having to pull off the road to read and send texts)
TEXT 1 Can you pickup some milk?
TEXT 2. Yes, non-fat, 2% or whole? .
TEXT 3 Non Fat
TEXT 4 Gallon or half Gallon
TEXT 5 Half gallon.
TEXT 6 Got it.

Why don't you know what type of milk you buy?

 

[fla4fun]

Why don't you know what type of milk you buy?

I buy canned, since I only use it for cooking. . .

 

[Moliphino]

The example I always use is this:
10 SECOND PHONE CALL "Can you pickup milk on the way home?" Yes, non-fat, 1%, 2% or whole? Non-fat. Gallon, or half gallon? Half Gallon. Got it, bye"

2-3 MINUTES OF TEXTS (assuming I am not driving and having to pull off the road to read and send texts)
TEXT 1 Can you pickup some milk?
TEXT 2. Yes, non-fat, 2% or whole? .
TEXT 3 Non Fat
TEXT 4 Gallon or half Gallon
TEXT 5 Half gallon.
TEXT 6 Got it.

Or you could text, "Can you pick up a gallon of 2% milk on the way home?". Bam, done.

 

[_19disnA]

I find texting annoying if the topic requires a conversation. Those tiny virtual keyboards are very hard to use and frustrating to compose sentences. Auto-correct frequently inserts the wrong word so you have to proof read prior to sending to avoid sending nonsense. Would rather have a phone conversation if it is something more than 'what time are we meeting for lunch?' or some yes/no type of question.

I don't answer my home phone since those who call seem to be telemarketers or someone running some kind of scam............nope not interested. None of those people ever leave a message so you know it isn't something legit. People I actually know call my cell phone number so I can see who is calling. If heading out the door for an appointment, I don't answer and let them leave a message. They also know I don't always have my phone with me and it might be an hour or two before I can return their call.

Email is good if sending pictures/attachments/documents or some sort of long/complicated message. Also easy to refer back to it a few months later.

 

[sam_gordon]

Why don't you know what type of milk you buy?

Gotta agree. My only follow up question would be "what size?" If I bring back the "wrong" type, then I would reply "you should have been more specific".

Also, if I'm texted at 10am to pick up milk on the way home, I don't really care how long it takes to get through the conversation. Another benefit to texting is having it in writing. So I'm texted at 10am to pick up milk. By the time I leave work, I remember I'm supposed to pick up SOMETHING, but don't remember what. I can look at the texts to tell me, what, how much, and what kind (if I need that information).

Now, if I know DW has left work and need her to stop, I'll call (because she shouldn't be checking texts while driving).

 

[tvguy]

Or you could text, "Can you pick up a gallon of 2% milk on the way home?". Bam, done.

Yup. That is what I would do, but I was the recipient, not the sender and NOBODY i know that insists on texting is that concise.