Poll: Why do people text so much?

[Gruchul]

You my friend have read my mind, texting on the phone is making people weaker in verbal communication since they are so use to thinking of what to say before a reply, in real life there's no waiting for a reply.

What a strange sentiment. You do realise people don't entirely eschew other forms of communication, right? They're still as likely to talk to people as they were previously in their day to day life.

There's also the highly relevant price point. On a flexible contract, it's likely you'll be paying less for a text than the connection charge levied for a phone call. For the less well off amongst us, this is a big deal. Text messages also act as a record of what has been said, making it easy to find out what you may have arranged quickly and easily. Its a useful and cheap method of communication, I struggle to see what real problem people could have with it.

 

[rokkolpo]

sometimes, i usually call. which i do quite often.

bout 5 times a day.
but short phonecalls and to the point.

 

[Slayer_2]

I generally dislike cell phones, as they are pretty much an addiction for most of my friends. I'm a gamer, I spend maybe as much as 20 hours a week playing, but some of my friends make that look like child's play when it comes to texting. Wherever we go, and whatever we're doing, they always have a cell phone in hand, and they are usually tapping away a message to someone.

 

[SnipErlite]

You can talk to about 5 people at once.
It's easier to do without being noticed (school and whatnot)
Less antisocial if you can touch-text while talking to someone.
Plus you don't get any awkward pauses in the middle of conversation.
Plus some people just don't like talking on the phone (I find it a bit weird).

 

[Deleted]

Text conversations = Fucking stupid.
Text messages that involve giving information involving numbers, or short confirmations = Okay

If you're texting to keep your phone discreet, like during class, the phone should be off in the first place. If you're texting to save money, then you don't know the definition of 'save'. If you're texting because you can't talk to someone face to face, then you suck.

Texting in class is the worst, most annoying thing ever.
"But I need to tell Stacy that I laughed out loud!"
NO you don't!
"What about for emergenci-"
FUCK YOU! That is the most bullshit defense ever used.

You're forgetting that most cell phone users are stupid people so they like the idea of paying to type words when they could call and say much more.

 

[Marik2]

I hate talking on the phone. yea, you can say it in 10 secs, but maybe thats a bad thing?
Texting allows for a conversation to last longer, alleivating some boredom. its easier to do while watchin tv or playing games. allows for more time to come up with better responses and overall better conversations. just my opinion and trying to justify it, but really
I HATE TALKING ON THE PHONE. lol

Random question, but is your avatar called pizza the hut from the movie Spaceballs? I loved that movie!

 

[ParkourMcGhee]

Cheaper, clearer, there's a record of it - conversations you can forget! IE: shopping list

 

[Lionsfan]

As a rule of thumb I'd rather talk than text, if your on the phone with someone and there's a silence or a pause in the conversation, you know they just aren't talking anymore. If your texting, you don't know if they're not talking, if they didn't get the message or if you haven't gotten their reply. Plus, it's like 160 or so characters. And people wonder why up to 40% of a text is misunderstood? Short stuff I get, when are you coming to this place? How late you working? But for longer or important stuff, I'd rather talk

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

I only text for easy access to someone I otherwise can't normally reach. However, I always do so in impeccable English, and expect others to do so, lest they incur my utmost contempt (most people do).

 

[joshthor]

i speak better when i do it by typing. however, i still speak decent talking, the main reason i text so much is because for some reason the girls i hang out with are mortified of actually talking on the phone. however, they can go on endlessly by texting.

 

[_Janny_]

I haven't texted someone in months... Come to think of it, I never text people unless it's a holiday greeting or an emergency.

 

[TelHybrid]

It comes in handy when you just want to send someone a quick reminder about something, or just anything in general, but don't want to disturb them if they're busy by calling them, so they can read the message at their own leisure.

 

[SmartIdiot]

People tend to prefer texting as they have more control over the conversation. They can respond when they choose to, think carefully about what they're saying and don't have to deal with things like vocal tone or body language which can give away what they're really thinking.

 

[metalmmaniac]

I hate talking on the phone. yea, you can say it in 10 secs, but maybe thats a bad thing?
Texting allows for a conversation to last longer, alleivating some boredom. its easier to do while watchin tv or playing games. allows for more time to come up with better responses and overall better conversations. just my opinion and trying to justify it, but really
I HATE TALKING ON THE PHONE. lol

Random question, but is your avatar called pizza the hut from the movie Spaceballs? I loved that movie!

indeed it is Pizza the Hut. haha glad someone recognized it. *high five*
i will deliver your cookie in the near future

 

[SantoUno]

I text my girlfriend all the time, no exceptions.

The only time we cannot text each other is when we work, or one of us is in an important class, or driving.

I have unlimited texting so I am grateful.

 

[MattZero]

I like texting but only because I don't carry my cell phone with me everywhere, or when I do it's usually turned off. So if people call me and I miss the call they can leave a message in voicemail or texting and I fucking hate checking voicemail.

I can check and respond to fifty or sixty text messages in the time it takes to access voicemail and sift through all the ones that are like "Dude... like where are you man?" to get to the one voicemail that matters.