| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/8/2007 9:36:54 PM | Recently, I came up on a new phenomena, "the anti-phone talker."
I have to say that I hate text messaging & people that use it as their sole means of communication.
I can understand that if you are only saying, "whats up," "I'm thinking about you," "are you available to talk?" Then send a simple text.
 HOWEVER!
If you are saying something that requires more than 2 texts to discuss, pick up the phone & talk to that person verbally.
Recently, I was lost on my way to a restaurant. I tried to call for directions, but I got immediate voicemail. I asked for him to call me back, but instead I received a text with the restaurant's address & the question "what street are you on?". When I called back, I got voicemail again & a text back with the instruction to take a right on such & such street. Needless to say, I got so pissed that I turned around & went home.
Hence, I find texts rude, impersonal, antisocial and the worst invention of all time.
I was wondering what everyone else's impression of text messaging is. | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/8/2007 9:43:00 PM | Ooh, great topic.
I just recently got introduced to text messaging and I like it. At first it was awkward, but now that I've got the hang of it, it's fun. And it's nice to have another option of communicating.
However, I think I'd still want to be able to talk to someone live if I were lost and trying to find a place - either that or use a GPS system. | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/8/2007 11:15:36 PM |
I have to say that I hate text messaging & people that use it as their sole means of communication.
I can understand that if you are only saying, "whats up," "I'm thinking about you," "are you available to talk?" Then send a simple text.
I have over the last couple years found killer business applications for them - it is now a very necessary part of my work life.
examples:
1.taking a snapshot of equipment in field to tech and sending as a text message - a return text with solution.
(I am talking bar code printers) - but it can be applicable to any industry
problem solved 5 min - if I called my tech I can be on hold a long time
2. in a meeting or seminar - need to communo, but not appro for phone
many others
non business
sending everyone in your phone book directions to party you just found out about/ alerting people of traffic problems
and a MILLION other uses | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/8/2007 11:59:25 PM | I agree with the OP and with you Bill. Text messaging has it's place within reason.
I'll send my son a text and get a quick response, but if I am asking for directions I want to talk to a real person.
I have a girlfriend who would go out drinking with her friends and send me text messages of a line from a song at the most inappropriate time... like when I was getting busy with the ex boyfriend at 1 am in the morning.
In that case... text messaging was OUT OF LINE!
But don't call me that time of morning either! | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/9/2007 12:09:15 AM | I don't get texting at all. I understand that there are times (like in a meeting) where it might come in handy, but if it is inappropriate to make a call, is it not also inappropriate to start pounding on your phone?
I've talked to a lot of people about this, because honestly, it seems so silly. The best reasons I've heard are that texting is cheaper, you can do it in class if the teacher doesn't see you, and it's kind of the 21st century equivalent of the post-it on the bathroom mirror that says "I love you".
I (grudgingly) accept that it has its place, but when people use it as their prefered form of communication...?
Why can't they just pick up the dang phone and talk??? | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/9/2007 3:40:51 AM | I have a friend who's voice mail out - going message says "Hi, this is Jay- and please don't leave me a message...I'll call you back if necessary" or something to that affect. He, as I is a small business owner who gets an enormous number of phone calls.
I never call my voice mail unless it is to delete them and most people who call my mobile know this...I look at my "missed calls" and call back when it is a convenient time to do so....
caller ID is another tool...I don't want to be yacking to some bimbo I met at last night's party that obtained my business card in a drunken lapse of judgement -no! -
when Con Agra Foods calls with a big lable order I want to have that phone free to do some real business.
I personally look at everything technology has to offer and look for alternative ways to use it.
Today's losers are the one's who erroneously think My Space is for kids, text messages are for teenagers...
it is funny how social conditioning can do such silly work on otherwise smart people.
bottom line is there are more than one application for any single tool, whatever it is...
here to illustrate:
cavemen discovering wheels -
wheels became pullies, gears, and other things...I am sure there were the cavemen who refused to use a variation of the wheel for a pulley
no, they say...
wheels are just for driving around.
they were not thinking outside of the box their wheels were rolling around on. | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/9/2007 6:32:55 AM | I can't wrap my brain around the texting thing. Hell, I've only now started using IM a little and find it to be an annoying interruption when I'm trying to work. Recently, someone asked me why I don't text, saying she felt like sending me dirty messages while I'm in business meetings and stuff. I admit, I found the thought of that rather exciting... but then I imagine, like IM, it could get annoying. So I'm still a texting virgin. And really - I'd much rather hear the person's voice... I'm funny like that...  | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/9/2007 6:44:58 AM | Texting is ok..
But I end up having these long winded convos and it drives me up a wall..
I can type pretty fast here, but with that dam little phone it's a pain in the *ss !!
I see it this way.. If you want to keep it short, text.
If you want to write a novel when send me a dam email.. That's why I pay for DSL !!
Just call and talk to me.. That's why I have a cell phone, like DUH !! lol | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/9/2007 6:50:53 AM | had a discussion about texting with someone just yesterday- (and believe me , I resisted / did not understand the usefulness of it for a very long time - I guess it was one of those "Eureka!" experiences...
yes! phone conversation will always be there and there are sometimes when the only thing appropo is a phone conversation...
but there is also useful applications I mentioned
here is something I discovered last Thanksgiving as I was away from family and friends for thanksgiving.
I thought mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
yes.
perfect:
text:
"Hey- Just thinkin about ya- wanted to wish you a happy thanksgiving!"
-send-
when the phone prompts I sent to most everyone in my phone book 25 (the max the bandwidth allowed for) at a time -
do to a flaw in human nature (which in this case- worked out well for good for a change)
most everyone naturally assumed I had typed that espicially for them , a personal greeting - just for them\
here is the thing...I did...I included them in the text - but no I did not need to type all 500 odd contacts
the phone began to light up with messages (replys)
"Oh, Bill, thanks sooooooooo much for thinking of me"
Father's day it was similar...now I do it for all holidays
people love to be reminded they are special in someone's life and this is just a very easy simple way to make someones day.
I dislike giving these example because there are literally thousands of individual applications I could list more but ...whew this post is long enough. | |
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Karen5
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Joined: 4/11/2007
Msg: 10 | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/9/2007 9:08:54 AM |
If you want to write a novel when send me a dam email.. That's why I pay for DSL !!
Just call and talk to me.. That's why I have a cell phone, like DUH !! lol
My exact sentiments. I hate texting. With the time that it takes to do so, you can either pick up the phone or send out an email. Although I keep telling her not to and that it is for adolescents, one of my friends loves to do it. She also likes to annoy me too.  | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/9/2007 9:15:14 AM | I like some text messages. If I am in class or he is in a meeting, it's a nice way to remind someone that you are thinking about them and love them when you do not have the chance or the privacy to talk.
I have sent some very obscene text messages. Nothing breaks up the monotony of a long business meeting or a class lecture like knowing you are loved and desired by someone. | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/9/2007 10:05:14 AM | I have sent some very obscene text messages.
I have been the recipent of some very obscene text messages, but not by someone I loved. It definitely took away the desire. Perhaps that's a contributing factor as to why I don't care for them. Maybe someday... | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/9/2007 10:46:17 AM |
Although I keep telling her not to and that it is for adolescents
so hate everything
hang on - the phone's ringing...
I have been the recipient of some very obscene text messages, but not by someone I loved. It definitely took away the desire. Perhaps that's a contributing factor as to why I don't care for them. Maybe someday...
really?
dang...
porn-o-text.
that o demon lustoperv. and lustoperv's cousin textomania...
you know if the bible is right the world will explode...
and pweeeeeeze don't ask me to explain...I heard it right here on pof. some of it I don't know were they are coming from either... | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/9/2007 7:24:22 PM | so hate everything
hang on - the phone's ringing...
I don't... it's just not my thing.
porn-o-text.
It would be more fun with someone I'm fond of.
and pweeeeeeze don't ask me to explain...I heard it right here on pof. some of it I don't know were they are coming from either...
Rest assured that I won't. | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/9/2007 9:57:38 PM | | I will intentionally ignore an incoming call, listen to the voicemail, then text back, when I know the person calling simply can't shut up when you get them live. I don't want to hear any of it. If I know the person is capable of giving me the important info succinctly and then get off the phone, I'll pick up. I just can't talk to someone at length through a micro piece of plastic staring off to where the land meets the sky. I just prefer eye to eye for discussions of over 10 seconds. Too many human clues to intent, motive, sincerity etc go unseen with just a phone voice. | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/10/2007 1:11:07 AM | Pit, I get the time management thing, rally I do. but...
I just prefer eye to eye for discussions of over 10 seconds. Too many human clues to intent, motive, sincerity etc go unseen with just a phone voice.
Of course you can learn more in an eye-to-eye than in any other form of communication. But are you also saying that past that you can learn MORE about intent, motive, and sincerity from a text than a phone call? Maybe it's just the missing vowels and utter disregard for any rules of grammar, but to me, Text Speak is a postule on the bottom of the English language. And texting is like sending a telegram, except for the fact that in THIS century we have other options.
~L8r~ | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/10/2007 1:39:57 AM | | I generally don't like texting. It seems like more trouble than it's worth. I have friends who send me taxt messages occasionally, but I can't answer them.... just never really had any desire to learn how.If I want text based communication, I'll use IM or email. For crying out loud, it's a TELEPHONE! TALK INTO IT. | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/10/2007 6:02:09 AM | text messaging is ok, it is good for those times that you can not talk on the phone or you are thinking of someone, not as personal as a tele call but does have it's advantages. this is 2007 !:
    happy 
***sandbug*** | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/10/2007 10:02:36 AM | Agree ... it's less intrusive during the course of the day, when most are working... busy with life, or getting one(?) and can bring about smiles.
Also a good quick communication tool with kids, or "honey-do's"...
Did everyone realize that those media messages and chain emails that get annoyingly forwarded by some to phones now, or you check emails from your phone device, can also contain same internet viruses... which can be a b**** to clear off phones, blackberrys, etc! - just an FYI (oh, the stories I could tell!)
Can also be quicker than seeing a missed call, listening to voicemail... calling back... establishing 5 rounds of phone-tag and when finally hook up... What are we talking about? Why did you call?
On that note, opinions differ about voicemails too... is a missed call in need of a call back when they don't leave a message? That's a get back to ya whenever, if ever, in my book. Better to leave a message and clue 'em in to what it's all about Alfie.
But if you msg someone just getting to know, make sure get a reply, before continuing to send more!... some don't have messaging included on plan (so really not ignoring the message) or diff carriers charge more/less... just because you have an unlimited plan, don't presume others do.
Not a bad idea, as you get to know somebody to communicate what your phone etiquette "style" or pet peeves are. Personally, I'd rather hear a voice  | |
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| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/10/2007 11:41:49 AM |
If you are saying something that requires more than 2 texts to discuss, pick up the phone & talk to that person verbally.
Fully agree! I hate that! I text sometimes, but they are short. I just dont have the patience and if the person is explaning something, or I need to, I say f it and call em. You have the phone right with you, sooo much easier.
I had this one guy, seriously text me like 10 x a day just to say randomly, "im thinking about you" and I had never met him before. Id reply thank you, but it got to the point that I just couldnt stand it, not to mention it kind of creeped me out. I kindly told him (by text..haha) that I dont have patience for it and its rather odd since he never met me. Not to mention I only can recieve a certain amt. of texts during my bill. He got the hint..LOL | |
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Ender
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Joined: 2/1/2004
Msg: 25 | |
| Text Messaging - the good, the bad, the repulsive
Posted: 8/11/2007 1:13:58 AM | Personally I am ALOT more comfortable texting as opposed to talking on the phone. Then again I grew up with the internet and it is my primary form of information gathering, blogging, and networking.
I think that the whole "MUST TALK ON THE PHONE" thing is just a hold over from the previous generation. I mean its all good if folks are more comfortable talking over the phone, but to folks like me it is a slow and archaic form of information exchange. | |
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