Modern Day Etiquette Question- re:Telephones and Texting

[LittleBlue22]

When do you think its too late to call or text some one these days? I remember while being under my parents roof that 9PM was the latest to receive or send a phone call unless it was urgent.

Have the rules of etiquette changed since we are in the era of texting and cell phones? Thanks all.

 

[maelstrom]

Well, I get texts in the middle of the night from a friend who works overnights. Of course, I'm usually up most of the night, so I don't mind. I think it's really up to the people involved to decide what is "too late".

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Unless you know specifically otherwise, from the person her/himself, then I would stick with the 9:00 pm idea.

I have company who, from time to time gets texts at midnight or later. I find that extremely rude. The company finds it extremely embarrassing!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Unless you know specifically otherwise, from the person her/himself, then I would stick with the 9:00 pm idea.

This is our rule of thumb...

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well I don't like calls past 7pm.

My SIL for ex., will be talking on her phone to family at midnight and that is normal for her.

If you don't know the people, 9pm is a good rule to follow, although I would not call someone past 8pm unless it was necessary of course.

 

[Keli]

I think texting at any time is fine but I don't call after nine unless it's someone I know stays up late.

 

[MichelleVW]

I think texting at any time is fine but I don't call after nine unless it's someone I know stays up late.

9PM is a good rule for both. I hate when I get texts late at night because the beep wakes me up. If their is something I need to know, I would rather get an email that I can check in the morning, not a text to wake me up.

 

[yoopermom]

You really need to know if they're a "morning" or "evening" house, too. I have in-laws that get up at the crack of dawn and so think they're doing us a "favor" by not calling until 7:01 am....even on holidays....so every once in a while I call them at 9:05 pm, just to make THEM get up out of bed!

Terri

 

[threeboysmom]

I've always stuck with the 9pm phone call curfew. No way I'd call someone after that unless it was an emergency. And it hate it if someone calls me after 9 because the first thing you think of is "oh no, an emergency!"

Texting I find is different. I wouldn't think twice about texting someone late at night or early in the morning. I know with me, I always turn my cell off when I go to sleep so it's not a problem.

If you don't want a text in the middle of the night waking you up, why aren't you just turning off your cell when you go to sleep?

 

[flying_babyb]

Certain friends have privlages but everyone else, 1030 pm. If they call latter I get very mad. As far as texts, people text me all night long, but they know after ten its on silent and I wont be answering.

 

[Ephany]

If you don't want a text in the middle of the night waking you up, why aren't you just turning off your cell when you go to sleep?

According to my younger co-workers who complain all the flippin' time about being woken up at 3am by their friends texting, it's because they use their phones as alarm clocks. My suggestions of actually buying an alarm clock are meant with blank stares. I usually don't call/text people after 9pm unless I know they're up late, it seems rude to me. I also don't call before 9am unless it's an emergency or I know that they'll be awake.

 

[MichelleVW]

I've always stuck with the 9pm phone call curfew. No way I'd call someone after that unless it was an emergency. And it hate it if someone calls me after 9 because the first thing you think of is "oh no, an emergency!"

Texting I find is different. I wouldn't think twice about texting someone late at night or early in the morning. I know with me, I always turn my cell off when I go to sleep so it's not a problem.

If you don't want a text in the middle of the night waking you up, why aren't you just turning off your cell when you go to sleep?

Because I don't have a house phone.....so turning off my cell phone isn't an option.

Now that I have a blackberry I just turn off all notifications except the ringer at night, but I personally wouldn't send someone a text late at night unless I knew they were awake.

 

[TinkerBell22]

Some people don't have land lines, so they leave their cell phones on for an emergency. If it's not an emergency then it can wait until they next day. Why text or call just because your up?

 

[Becky2005]

I would say the 9 pm deadline is so ingrained in my head that unless I'm expecting a call, I always get a little concerned when the phone rings after 9 pm.

Unless, of course, the person is someone who you know will be up, etc...

That's also true about knowing morning/afternoon house. When I was in HS my boyfriend's mom worked 2nd shift -- I knew better than to call before noon at that house. However, I knew calling past 9 pm would be OK (other than the fact that my parents wouldn't have allowed me to call OUT at that time of night but if it was the weekend or something a little more leeway).

I guess 9 is my magic number because I hate calling anyone before 9 AM too. I never gave it a thought until this thread! Even though we are usually up by 6:30 AM. The only exception I make to that is if I'm calling a house that I know also has kids the same age as mine & it's a school day. I figure they are up getting their kids ready for school too & usually the call has something to do specifically with that day, I may make a 7:30 AM phone call. Although, I do usually end up apologizing for calling so early.

 

[lila]

11pm

 

[dismom2]

I've always stuck with the 9pm phone call curfew. No way I'd call someone after that unless it was an emergency. And it hate it if someone calls me after 9 because the first thing you think of is "oh no, an emergency!"

Texting I find is different. I wouldn't think twice about texting someone late at night or early in the morning. I know with me, I always turn my cell off when I go to sleep so it's not a problem.

If you don't want a text in the middle of the night waking you up, why aren't you just turning off your cell when you go to sleep?

I also turn my phone off when I go to bed, mainly because I always seem to get those 'wrong numbers' during those hours. If it's an emergency from a family member, they can call my home number.

 

[AllyandJack]

Calls....I hate phone calls after 9pm.

Texts....my friend and I text all night. My cell is on silence anyway, so it doesn't make a noise. I just notice the red light blinking.

I'm up all night anyway, so I enjoy the companionship.

 

[bicker]

The rules of etiquette have never been static. I suspect that some folks feel that the rules that they prefer have been, but the reality is quite different.

I generally don't call people. Ever. I'll send them email unless it is a matter of life-or-death, or they've made it clear that I should call them.

I think it is fair to expect that people will turn off their cell phones if they don't want to be bothered by TXTing overnight. One of the best parts of TXTing is that you can send, and not worry about whether the person is waiting... they'll get the TXT eventually.

 

[MichelleVW]

The rules of etiquette have never been static. I suspect that some folks feel that the rules that they prefer have been, but the reality is quite different.

I generally don't call people. Ever. I'll send them email unless it is a matter of life-or-death, or they've made it clear that I should call them.

I think it is fair to expect that people will turn off their cell phones if they don't want to be bothered by TXTing overnight. One of the best parts of TXTing is that you can send, and not worry about whether the person is waiting... they'll get the TXT eventually.

With these days of so many people not having a land line I don't think that's fair to expect any more.

No one I personally know turns off their cell phone at night.

Unless I'm on a plane my cell phone is turned on, and that holds true for most people I know..

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

9am -8 pm is the rule in my house. Very few people are the exception.