What is the point of text messaging?

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new_age_reject

Lives in dactylic hexameter.
Dec 28, 2008
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TheNamlessGuy said:
Unless you want to use sarcasm (and can't do it through text), then you call.

Otherwise, you text.

It's cheaper.
You can use facial expressions

And I don't like talking.
If you want to use sarcasm in a text only setting then you put this at the end of a sentence (!)
They use it in subtitles ;)
Sorry if I've been ninja'd :p
 

Queen Michael

has read 4,010 manga books
Jun 9, 2009
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I like text messaging because you can tell somebody something right away, but you don't have to listen to what s/he has to say until you feel like it.
 

Sneaky-Pie

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Sep 22, 2008
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It can save time or if the conversation needs to be more private than usual.

I cannot stand when people start using "text speak." I refuse to use it and try to still be as grammatically correct as possible.
 

Klarinette

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May 21, 2009
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I think it's a convenience thing, really. Mind you, some people are extremely socially inept and can't carry a real conversation for their life, so the text message saves them.
 

Burningsok

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Jul 23, 2009
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well for one thing, I'm not gonna call someone up and say a few words then hang up. It's pointless; texting would be alot quicker and simpler. Although if the texting consists of typing out a full-on conversation then I would say use the phone.
 

vamp rocks

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Aug 27, 2008
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if im in a position wher i cannot talk or really dont wanna face a full blown conversation with a certain someone and i just want the information i need to go back and forth...

alo texting is sometimes just.... fun :p
 

Mr Snuffles

Owner of Mister Toast
Apr 15, 2009
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It gives me time to think before 'speaking' back, so if it's an odd statement I can think about a reply... also there's no awkward silences
 

Sun Flash

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Apr 15, 2009
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Keeps your conversation private.

And it's less rude than a phone call. a call demands your attention immediately,forcing you to drop whatever it is you're doing. a text lets you know someone wants to tell you something but you can finish what you are doing before responding.

as a side note, my mobile phone is mainly used for texting (I'm one of the "only emergencies" crowd, if you want to talk phone my house, if I'm not in, I probably can't stop for a chat) but I never use txt spk. Apart from there.
 

Eggsnham

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Apr 29, 2009
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It's faster, cheaper, quieter, more fun (I think so, at least), easier to get the point across and allows you to use smileys :D.

Calling, for the most part, isn't any of those things mentioned.
 

Ironic Pirate

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May 21, 2009
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I've only texted once in my life, and it was accidental.

I think the purpose would be for discreet/private messages, and the fact that you can check them at any time and think over a response.
 

Superbeast

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Haseo21 said:
I never got what the big deal about text messaging was. Its faster to call someone then send messages back and forth.
Can someone please elaborate.

Oh yea, and dont give me that "so you can talk to your friends during class" bullshit, you should be paying attention
Well, for me it's the opposite of the last point, but then I'm a Uni student not a school kid.

If you need to get hold of someone, who you don't know whether they are in a lecture or not, drop them a text - most of the time the phone is on silent, so it doesn't interrupt the lecture (and if not a small beep is less noticeable than a tinny rendition of whatever music they like). They can reply at their leisure, and if it's really urgent they can reply from in the lecture without interrupting.

It's also easier to just chat and talk about random bollocks with people than on a phone.

You can take your time and only say what you mean, with the benefit of going back and editing (and don't say e-mail - phone internet is often expensive, isn't checked as often, and normally I'm trying to get hold of someone that isn't online from a standard computer).

It's easier to use in a crowded and/or noisy place - you bother less people and you can understand what's being said

You can put your phone down if *you* get interrupted by something important, without offending the other person and stopping mid-way through a sentence.

I sure as hell don't want my messages to my girlfriend spoken aloud in public.

...seems like there are a few very good reasons for texting instead of phoning someone.

Mind you, I try to avoid "text-language" if I can, except if I need to disemvowel a word to fit under the word limit to save money, but the use of "smilies" is handy. Sometimes my messages run on to 3 pages, so it would be cheaper to call - but I couldn't think about what I wanted to say properly, and would likely result in accidentally creating arguments.

Of course if it's something really important then you text someone, ask to meet, and go talk face-to-face. Or maybe I'm just old-fashioned!