Do people not talk on the phone anymore?

[MJ2.0]

That is one thing that has really been getting on my nerves with this dating stuff. It's all text text text.... After like 50 texts back and forth within a 20 minute time frame, wouldn't it be easier to just actually talk? Now I feel like I have to ask if we can talk on the phone! Completely ridiculous!

[Deleted]

I hardly ever talk on the phone. I'd much rather text or message.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

I feel that way about my kids -- they're bright and social, but I have had to work with them to develop phone skills -- that they may never use.

Am I a Luddite?  Or, are phones already destined to go the way of the typewriter?  

[Deleted]

Mar 1, 2015 17:10:22 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

That is one thing that has really been getting on my nerves with this dating stuff. It's all text text text.... After like 50 texts back and forth within a 20 minute time frame, wouldn't it be easier to just actually talk? Now I feel like I have to ask if we can talk on the phone! Completely ridiculous!

I've noticed the text text text trend too. Texting has it's place, but I don't like it as the primary means of communication when dating. Imo, nothing replaces a real verbal conversation between people that are trying to get to know one another. And my cynical side knows that texting makes it all too easy to be sneaky.

[Deleted]

I never call either unless I'm driving.  Texting and email are by far my preferred methods of communication.  You're not interrupting anyone when you send them, you can answer at your convenience, ignore if you're pissed off at the person, think about what you're going to "say" before you blurt out something you wish you hadn't...

[msventoux]

Mar 1, 2015 17:27:52 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

I never call either unless I'm driving.  Texting and email are by far my preferred methods of communication.  You're not interrupting anyone when you send them, you can answer at your convenience, ignore if you're pissed off at the person, think about what you're going to "say" before you blurt out something you wish you hadn't...

If it's important I'll call and communicate directly.  If I just need to quickly let someone know something I'll text or email.  If I'm bored and want to engage in silliness I'll text.  Calling has it's place, but it's not my preferred method of communication...it often feels like an imposition. 

[andi9899]

Mar 1, 2015 17:14:40 GMT -5 oped said:

I hardly ever talk on the phone. I'd much rather text or message.

Me too. I only call my mom or grandma because neither one of them knows how to text. Other than that, I only occasionally drunk dial.

[MJ2.0]

I just don't get how phoning is some huge imposition. If you're busy, you can just not answer the phone like in the pretexting Dark Ages...

[MJ2.0]

I feel like we're going to get to a point where people don't know how to have conversations with actual human beings anymore. Sure I don't mind texting, but if it's just me and that person talking for hours, it's sooooo much easier to just talk.

[Deleted]

I didn't like talking on the phone BEFORE texting came along.  Now at least people can communicate with me.  I would shut my phone off all the time to avoid calls.  LOL

I used to dread calls from certain people.  The ones that would call to tell you one little thing, but then would never get off the line.  An hour later they're rambling on about their hang nails and I'm pounding my head against the wall. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I don't have texting on my phone, which I knows drives a lot of people nuts.  When I want to talk to say something, I call.  If it's important, I leave a message on voicemail.

One of the things that I have noticed with people who use texting to communicate frequently is that they tend to always have their phone in their hand checking things out.  It's rather disconcerting when you are at dinner with someone who is always looking down at their phone.

[Deleted]

Mar 1, 2015 17:51:19 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

I didn't like talking on the phone BEFORE texting came along.  Now at least people can communicate with me.  I would shut my phone off all the time to avoid calls.  LOL

I used to dread calls from certain people.  The ones that would call to tell you one little thing, but then would never get off the line.  An hour later they're rambling on about their hang nails and I'm pounding my head against the wall. 

Those people, I still don't answer the phone for them a lot of times. They've learned that if they really want something specific, it's best to text me. I'll respond to that but I probably won't answer a call.

I still think dating is a different kind of situation. I'm not against texting, it's actually more convenient in some circumstances. I just don't think it should completely replace conversations when you're getting to know someone.

[Deleted]

I HATE talking on the phone but I agree, it's the logical next step after texting, if you're dating online. 

My sister and her late husband were set up together by a family friend. He called her late one afternoon. During the evening (they were still on the phone), he asked if he could pick her up and take her out to dinner. My sister refused, she had a paper due the next day. 

The spent the ENTIRE night on the phone. Literally.   

All their years together (they eventually married), my BIL always joked that if my sister had agreed to go out with him that night, he would have just taken her out to dinner and brought her straight home so she could work on her paper, and if she had accepted his offer instead of refusing and spending the night on the phone, she probably would have turned that paper in on time LOL. 

[zibazinski]

If my kids call me, there's a problem. Last time my son called he had a question about the refrigerator light.  Last time my daughter called, it was whether to take a purse into her PA school interview.  First world problems. 

[MJ2.0]

Mar 1, 2015 17:58:51 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I don't have texting on my phone, which I knows drives a lot of people nuts.  When I want to talk to say something, I call.  If it's important, I leave a message on voicemail.

One of the things that I have noticed with people who use texting to communicate frequently is that they tend to always have their phone in their hand checking things out.  It's rather disconcerting when you are at dinner with someone who is always looking down at their phone.

Yes!!!! I was out with a friend last night and she kept checking her phone and answering texts. She says, oh I can listen and text at the same time.... newsflash: NO ONE CAN! you can't think of what you're typing, type it, listen to another person speak, and digest what they're saying to you all at once. She failed miserably. And also, it's like saying the person on the other end is more important than the one in front of you.

[Phoenix84]

I know what you mean. Texting is fine for brief exchanges, but not actual conversations.

But I'm a slow, one finger Typer on my phone.

[NastyWoman]

I just refuse to text. Either I talk to you or I leave a message. I also prefer books printed on paper so I guess in a couple of years you will be able to find me in a museum exhibit. Texting, checking or answering your phone during dinner, unless there is an emergency, are just signs of bad manners and inconsiderate behavior IMO.  As I said... I'm  headed for a museum exhibit and happy with it. 

[Regis]

No, people do not talk on the phone anymore.  They just post on forums.  

[dogmom]

Honestly, I would rather TALK to someone. Yes, on the phone or in person.  Texting is fully wasted on me.  However most/just about all of my friends like the text thing.  I guess I miss out on quite a bit, I don't like my cellphone either.....it does take a sort of decent picture though. 

[Cookies Galore]

I text a lot and often but I still talk on the phone. Certain conversations and time dictate what form I use. Trying to make plans with a friend while I'm working? Text. Friend upset over something? Phone. Drunk and have stupid ideas? Text. And regret.
Hubs talks on the phone more than I do. When his dad was still alive and living alone, he went to his dad's every Wednesday after work to help him. He would call me and two of his friends when he was driving/sitting in traffic (using Bluetooth). Those weekly conversations with his friends were important to hubs and I'm glad they made themselves available for him.


Texting is easy and I see why it replaces calling for most stuff, but I think when getting to know someone you need to call. You need to hear a voice! How else do you know if someone is sarcastic and quick-witted? Someone else could be writing those awesome texts.

[wvugurl26]

It depends on what it is. Some things get texted and some people I call. If I'm at work it's much easier to text.

[thyme4change]

Before phones they sent letters, and couldn't be in the same room very often at all.  Somehow, civilization survived, and people were not weirdos.  I don't think the phone is the essential component to judging society's ability to have a conversation.

[MJ2.0]

Mar 1, 2015 20:02:17 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Before phones they sent letters, and couldn't be in the same room very often at all.  Somehow, civilization survived, and people were not weirdos.  I don't think the phone is the essential component to judging society's ability to have a conversation.

It is when I'm judging their ability to have a real time conversation. Also, people sent letters because they couldn't talk to each other.... If they were writing each other letters and lived a 10 minute walk from one another, then it's comparable to how people text now.

[Tennesseer]

Mar 1, 2015 18:10:12 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Mar 1, 2015 17:58:51 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I don't have texting on my phone, which I knows drives a lot of people nuts.  When I want to talk to say something, I call.  If it's important, I leave a message on voicemail.

One of the things that I have noticed with people who use texting to communicate frequently is that they tend to always have their phone in their hand checking things out.  It's rather disconcerting when you are at dinner with someone who is always looking down at their phone.

Yes!!!! I was out with a friend last night and she kept checking her phone and answering texts. She says, oh I can listen and text at the same time.... newsflash: NO ONE CAN! you can't think of what you're typing, type it, listen to another person speak, and digest what they're saying to you all at once. She failed miserably. And also, it's like saying the person on the other end is more important than the one in front of you.

Makes you wonder who your friend was really socializing with last night.

[andi9899]

Mar 1, 2015 17:58:51 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I don't have texting on my phone, which I knows drives a lot of people nuts.  When I want to talk to say something, I call.  If it's important, I leave a message on voicemail.

One of the things that I have noticed with people who use texting to communicate frequently is that they tend to always have their phone in their hand checking things out.  It's rather disconcerting when you are at dinner with someone who is always looking down at their phone.

I text a lot. But I don't constantly look at my phone. I do, however, leave it on the table and when I get a text, I can see it on my phone even though it is just sitting there. If it is one of my kids saying something important, I will reply. Everyone else can wait. I even have ring tones assigned to the kids so that if my phone is in another room I can tell by the way it rings if I want to be bothered to go get it. If it's not my kids, I'll call them back later.

[MJ2.0]

Mar 1, 2015 19:10:40 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

I text a lot and often but I still talk on the phone. Certain conversations and time dictate what form I use. Trying to make plans with a friend while I'm working? Text. Friend upset over something? Phone. Drunk and have stupid ideas? Text. And regret.
Hubs talks on the phone more than I do. When his dad was still alive and living alone, he went to his dad's every Wednesday after work to help him. He would call me and two of his friends when he was driving/sitting in traffic (using Bluetooth). Those weekly conversations with his friends were important to hubs and I'm glad they made themselves available for him.


Texting is easy and I see why it replaces calling for most stuff, but I think when getting to know someone you need to call. You need to hear a voice! How else do you know if someone is sarcastic and quick-witted? Someone else could be writing those awesome texts.

Also some people do not realize that sarcasm with no "lol" or emoticons/smileys does not translate well over text. I had a few miscomms with one guy because he refused to use smileys, lols, or punctuation and his jokes/sarcasm started to make him sound like he was a huge asshole.

[MJ2.0]

Mar 1, 2015 21:18:47 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Mar 1, 2015 18:10:12 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Yes!!!! I was out with a friend last night and she kept checking her phone and answering texts. She says, oh I can listen and text at the same time.... newsflash: NO ONE CAN! you can't think of what you're typing, type it, listen to another person speak, and digest what they're saying to you all at once. She failed miserably. And also, it's like saying the person on the other end is more important than the one in front of you.

Makes you wonder who your friend was really socializing with last night.

It was guys, which I didn't have a huge issue with (they were the main topic last night lol). But damn, I drove 2 hours to see your ass - I should get more face time than some dude messaging you from his couch!

[Ryan]

I figure I talk To people enough....all day at work, kids talking the moment I walk in, catching up with wife. I look at it as managing my time vs avoiding talking to people.

Besides, I don't text back and forth that much. Just 1 to 3 texts at most.

[mroped]

I purposely got myself a flip phone so I don't have to text. Need something? Call me!

[giramomma]

DH and I will use iMessage each other. It's a nice compromise between talking and texting. It's how we stay connected.

Otherwise, I don't like to talk much on the phone. I missed that girl gene, and I'm tired of being "on" all the time. My hours are inconvenient, anyway. I can't really talk until 8:30, and I'm mentally toast by 9 usually. However, I'm ready to talk with folks at 6:30 in the morning...most wouldn't look upon that too favorably.

I had coffee with a mom that wanted to chat with me. Her cell phone was going off like every 3 minutes, and she checked it. I was a little annoyed.