When my Minnesota aunt and uncle arrived in New York, where another aunt and uncle reside, my aunt texted to let me know they arrived safely. They left our house early that morning after a short visit on their way to the family reunion.
As soon as my aunt began texting, my New York uncle called my cell phone. He didn’t say hello. He simply began spouting statistics about texting and driving. Since my aunt was in a restaurant and I was at my middle son’s last baseball game, I questioned his motive.
When my New York uncle realized we were all legally texting, he stated that he was only trying to make a point. His point was that picking up a phone is much simpler than texting. Then he went on to say texting was useless. “Why do you even need it?” he questioned, as if texting was a frivolous waste of money and resources.
“Let me work on my list and I’ll let you know when we arrive,” I answered. We were headed up for the family reunion in a couple of days. Surely I could come up with a strong case for texting before we arrived.
“You work on it,” he said before noting they were all enjoying pizza at Ed’s Dumpy Bar, possibly the best place on the planet for hand-tossed, fresh-made pizza.
While my aunts and uncles stuffed themselves silly with slices of hot, glistening pizza, I sat in the stands of McCrary Park and made a list, between innings and during time outs, of reasons why texting beats calling. You will not find this particular list floating in cyberspace bouncing in and out of your inbox just yet. Of course, if it does make it into the forwarding arena, I will be flattered.
First of all, teenagers DO communicate with adults, even their own parents. This was a breakthrough discovered when texting was invented. What parent would not want to read words, actually directed to them, from their teenagers?
Before texting, it was common knowledge that when children reached the age of 13, they lost the ability to communicate with anyone older than 18. But texting disproved this theory. Thanks to texting, I still have communicative relationships with all of my boys!
Relationships with significant others are also affected by texting. Sometimes you need proof — written documentation — of what you JUST SAID to your significant other, or in my case, Hubby. If the conversation took place via texting, you can scroll back to the actual words. Of course, this works both ways. Hubby can scroll back, too.
If you want, you can delete a nasty text to your significant other before sending it. With texting, you have a moment to reconsider and take it back. You cannot “delete” something you scream into the cell phone in the heat of an argument.
When you text a not-nice word, you can use asterisks to avoid spelling out and technically using the word. There is just no way to feign foul language when talking.
Texting is also quieter than talking on a cell phone. Should you be in a noisy restaurant, such as Ed’s Dumpy Bar, and you want to call your niece, you practically have to scream into the phone. However, texting over high levels of crowded restaurant noise can be done without yelling.
On a similar note, texting from the airport, grocery store or a baseball game is less annoying to those around you than talking on a cell phone. When you dial someone and begin talking, those around you can hear everything you say as well as a lot of what the person on the other end is saying depending on volume settings and proximity.
What if you have an important message to get out to tons of people, like the weight and height of a new baby just after the joyous birth? The same text message can be sent to multiple recipients in different locations at the same time. Calling would require lots of dialing and lots of repeating the same thing over and over.
Texting can be used during boring meetings as an escape into conversation with those not imprisoned by a long-winded boss, facilitator or trainer. Taking out a cell phone and dialing up your BFF during that same meeting will get you fired. This particular point, sans the “getting fired,” can also be applied to funerals, weddings, graduations and other events during which one is supposed to be quiet.
Texting allows groups of friends to discuss negative, yet humorous, observations about other people without having to worry about the poor saps overhearing the commentary. Think of all the hurt feelings that are avoided since the advent of texting.
And finally, words to live by: Texting something stupid only makes you look stupid to one person. Saying something stupid aloud into a cell phone makes you look stupid to everyone within earshot.
Micki Bare is a columnist for the Arkansas News Bureau and the Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C., and author of the book, “Relative Expressions.” She lives in Asheboro with her husband and three children. Her e-mail address is href=mickibare@inspiredscribe.com.
I just returned from the Philippines a couple months ago and over there everyone texts. It is so much more enloyable not having to listen to someone elses conversation in a bus or grocery store or any place public, it is nice and quiet. People here think they are the only person around and talk so load or if they are having an argument with someone and start cursing. Children hear it and everyone else in ear shot. Texting is the way to go in public!!! Save your phone calls when you are in private, nothing can be that important to take or make a phone call while standing in lines or restaurants. What did you do before cell phones? Things still got done.
Bathing the baby does not love, it is recommended Baby Tub Seat capped with non-slip mat to prevent slipping from the chair.
Relationships with significant others are also affected by texting. Sometimes you need proof — written documentation — of what you JUST SAID to your significant other, or in my case, Hubby. If the conversation took place via texting, you can scroll back to the actual words. Of course, this works both ways. Hubby can scroll back, too.
If you want, you can delete a nasty text to your significant other before sending it. With texting, you have a moment to reconsider and take it back. You cannot “delete” something you scream into the cell phone in the heat of an argument.
“Why would you need to check what you just said?
Is it really that important to be right?
Arguing over the phone isn’t the way it is done.
Disagreements are to be dealt with face to face.
Just what I need for a healthy relationship.
Words with no emotion behind them. that really does a lot for a relationship.”
Texting is also quieter than talking on a cell phone. Should you be in a noisy restaurant, such as Ed’s Dumpy Bar, and you want to call your niece, you practically have to scream into the phone. However, texting over high levels of crowded restaurant noise can be done without yelling.
“Why is there a need to call anyone if you’re on the town, or out at a restaurant?
If there is. Just stand up & walk outside for privacy.”
On a similar note, texting from the airport, grocery store or a baseball game is less annoying to those around you than talking on a cell phone. When you dial someone and begin talking, those around you can hear everything you say as well as a lot of what the person on the other end is saying depending on volume settings and proximity.
“Again why is there a need to distract oneself from the moment.
If I am shopping. I shop.
At a ballgame I am there to see the game & take in the environment.
At an airport the only time would be to alert someone about time.
That makes sense.
The other is self-indulgent, & just takes you from the moment.”
What if you have an important message to get out to tons of people, like the weight and height of a new baby just after the joyous birth? The same text message can be sent to multiple recipients in different locations at the same time. Calling would require lots of dialing and lots of repeating the same thing over and over.
“Well if you don’t want to vocally share something that means so much to you with loved ones, & give them an opportunity to connect to this moment, then there is something wrong.
As for sharing this message with tons of acquaintances.
Why?
Why put important events of life out to groups of people who in reality will feel little joy.
Connection is the operative word.
Written words on a screen don’t do it for me.”
Texting can be used during boring meetings as an escape into conversation with those not imprisoned by a long-winded boss, facilitator or trainer. Taking out a cell phone and dialing up your BFF during that same meeting will get you fired. This particular point, sans the “getting fired,” can also be applied to funerals, weddings, graduations and other events during which one is supposed to be quiet.
“Again boredom is a part of life.
We cannot expect to be entertained 24/7.
Something important in that boring meeting could be said & you miss it.
There might be someone who’s inviting glance you might miss at a wedding or funeral, because you are not connected with the here & now.
I can’t tell you how many times I have connected with REAL people in just this type of a boring environment you write about.
1 has become a life-long friend, the other a girlfriend that meant a lot to me.”
Texting allows groups of friends to discuss negative, yet humorous, observations about other people without having to worry about the poor saps overhearing the commentary. Think of all the hurt feelings that are avoided since the advent of texting.
“This is middle school BS.”
And finally, words to live by: Texting something stupid only makes you look stupid to one person. Saying something stupid aloud into a cell phone makes you look stupid to everyone within earshot.
Then here’s a novel idea.
Let the phone ring & don’t pick up immediately.
Live the life that is right under your nose, instead of allowing that flow of life
to be constantly interrupted by needless text messages.
Wait until you are alone & then call back.