Thursday, August 12, 2010

I Want Your Text


I am becoming lazier. If that is possible.

I just picked up my home telephone (because I needed to tell someone something, and it happened to be next to me at the computer) and stared at it for a moment, trying to think how to text with it.

When my brain finally registered that it is, and always has been impossible, I felt a little irritated. Like, "So you're saying I have to walk out to the entry way to dig my cell phone out of my PURSE to text?" irritated.

Like, "Why can't everything be instant? Why should I have to move my body at ALL?" irritated.

Ironic thing is, a few months ago I swore I would NEVER text. Never.

Because I found it incredibly rude.

I mean, first we have people answering their cell phones at all hours, even during meals and in the middle of conversations?

Add texting to that, and it just rubbed me the wrong way. I don't care who you are, or how good you think you are at reading and listening at the same time, if you are texting while I am trying to talk to you, you aren't listening to me. And I was here first. In the flesh! And you want to interrupt ME for meaningless banter with someone you can't even see? Someone who doesn't find you important enough to call, let alone visit you in person?

Rude squared.

(Plus, I thought people looked really dorky hanging over their phones, thumbs a blur, all intent on whatever they were "typing")

(Plus also, I am not a fan of acronyms or lack of punctuation, both of which run amok in the texting world)

Then I tried it (texting).

And now I am hooked.

Now I frequently dream of the day when everyone texts, because it would make my life so much easier. (lazy people like easier)

The only part I dislike is that I feel pressure to make every text clever. Kind of like facebook comments, but on a more frequent basis. It stresses me out.

But if it means that I can have just one less phone conversation in a day, then the stress is worth it.


Just know that if you interrupt a conversation with me to text, I will be smiling with forgiveness and understanding on the outside, but I will be mentally scratching you off my list of decent human beings.

Consider yourself warned.

Now let's all practice good texting hygiene.



Do you text (and if you do, why don't I have your number...)? What are your favorite/least favorite aspects of texting? I am dying to know.

11 comments:

Mardee Rae said...

u no, im a vry social prsn, but i luv txting bcuz it means no mandatory "hi, how r u" blah blah blah,instead you just say, "dinner in 5, be there or be square." And you don't have to sit around and pretend to have a decent conversation. Also, if somebody txt you something that requires a clever response, you can take all day coming up with something good! and so i think its cool.
It's funny to me that my babysitters use it. I don't know why...just makes me think, wow, this is like such a natural form of communication for them, like it's always been around... I don't know. It just feels weird texting people who aren't in my peer group. You?
also, like my comments on blogs, my txts are usually too long.
I love your blog, sorry I've been absent lately, but you can expect me back now!

Sawdust Girl said...

I love texting. It's faster than email and cuts out all the meaningless dribble that somehow eeks itself into vocal conversation. My biggest complaint is that my left thumb now twitches when extended. Even when it's not extended in order to text!

Stephanie said...

I don't text purely for the reason that I'm to cheap. We're lucky we have call waiting :)

Lena said...

I too have fallen victim to the texting bug and I luv/hate it. so much faster and easier than actually calling someone, plus, you can send out mutliple texts (just like email). I just send out a massive text to all my bsitters and whoever responds with the first yes, gets it--magical. But there are times when I get so frustrated with the other person texting me....like, am I the only person who needs both hands to text and who doesn't have both hands available for more than 10 minutes in a given day. I can't carry on a 20, 15, or even 10 minute long conversation, and there are some conversations that would MUCH easier to figure out if you could just TALK, like actually use your voice and some of those phone manners.

like i said...luv/hate it.

Stephanie said...

Too, I meant "too cheap." I hate typing on laptops, can you imagine me texting?

Sharlee said...

I don't text but I love that picture of your kids listening to their tunes. Cuuuute.

Unknown said...

I don't text. Don't pay for it. Still on the rate plan for our phones we got when we got married 6 years ago. Super frugals is what we are. Sometimes I wish I could text, but then my in-laws come over and ignore me for their phones every 3 minutes and I'm glad I don't text again.

Emily said...

Love it. Are you kidding? If it means less talking on the phone for me, I love it! I just hate it when everyone else does it in front of me. Rude. I only text when it's REALLY important. ;)

Michelle said...

So I was litterally in a meetin with a student and she was texting the entire time. I just stopped talking and stared at her until she was done - ANNOYING! I used to be anit-text as well. I thought if someone needed to tell me something they should just call me. I am a texting convert.

Christy said...

I have a love/hate relationship with texting too. I text but very minimal. I just think it is so rude to do it while with someone else...like when I am trying to visit teach someone and the whole time they are texting. RUDE.

The United Statements of Merica said...

I'm not an avid texter.. I'm not a whiz like mardee and don't know all the shorthand and i'm very slow at it. but I do love it for the same reasons everyone else does. i don't use it for ongoing conversations on a daily basis though.. usually it's for some quick information. my favorite thing about texting though has to be babysitters. I love that i don't have to wait until they're out of school to try to remember to call them and probably not get ahold of them. and i love that i don't have to call them on their cell phones and bug them while they're hangin' with their friends.