Texting - good or bad?

[jimblies]

I'm going to put bad as yes, on the whole it is a great system - means you don't have to phone and have an hour long conversation, cheap, to the point, etc.

In the last week I have seen the bad side.

I fell out with a friend over one text - I thought she was annoyed at me - it turns out she wasn't completely but it seems if one of us would have picked up the phone earlier then we wouldn't have fallen out. (Sorry - thought I'd give you the short version of events!!)
----
Another friend has just learned that after 5 months of texting and no replies that her friend is in hospital unable to walk, talk or feed herself. She went in for a 'simple' brain op. They removed a small growth. When my friend phoned the next day her husband said "Oh yes shes fine - shes at home here - do you want to speak to her?" My friend said "No don't disturb her - tell her to give me a ring when shes feeling up to it."
The phone didn't ring and several texts weren't answered so she just thought maybe things were bad at home so she didn't worry.

Her husband phoned my friend last week and told her what had happened (he's never actually liked my friend) the area had got infected. She was devastated and feels like an awful cow - it seems he's obviously run out of his friends to offer childcare and has had to phone my friend (she is happy to do it - but obviously would have been happier if he had phoned earlier so she could offer help sooner - or even go and see her friend).

There are several people I don't really see any more and text them every few months or so. I would feel awful too if the people I was once so close to had this happen to them.

So I just want to say pick up the phone occasionally - the text system is ok to a point but you're not hearing their voice or how they really feel!

[nicholamarie]

texting is good but it seems to have taken over a good conversation, things do get misinterpreted through text as you cant tell the tone in their voice to know if it was ment to be funny or serious.

i always text but if its really important then a phone call is best

[duck_egg]

i know what you mean, texts can soooo be taken the wrong way, my cousin text me a while back and i haven't seen him for a few years, he called me sweetie in his text and put kisses on it, my dh didn't know who it was and got upset, but it was just a genuine 'how are you' text. it also annoys me when people text to get out of speaking to you, one of my oldest and best friends missed my wedding cos she slept in!! and to be honest, a text just didn't cut it as an apology, she turned up for the reception though....late!!!

[Lemon]

I hardly ever text tbh. I much rather speak to my friends in person.

[TopKat]

I never text anymore. Got too sick and tired of people not answering.

[chris]

I am not a text fan. I know they have their uses but too much work for the thumbs!!
On a slightly different note, it annoys me when texts and mobile phones in general take over everyone's life. My nieces seems to think it is quite acceptable to answer their phones / texts etc. whilst we are having a family meal. To me it is an intrusion and can wait until afterwards although perhaps others don't agree with me on this.

[duck_egg]

I am not a text fan. I know they have their uses but too much work for the thumbs!!
On a slightly different note, it annoys me when texts and mobile phones in general take over everyone's life. My nieces seems to think it is quite acceptable to answer their phones / texts etc. whilst we are having a family meal. To me it is an intrusion and can wait until afterwards although perhaps others don't agree with me on this.
i know what you mean, sd had a phone for xmas and it's an mp3 player too so we constantly hear the same songs again and again, even though she could play more on her cd player upstairs!! and she gets free weekend texts so it goes off constantly all weekend!!! grrrrrr

[Sarah]

Texts can ruin lots of friendships. Things can be taken the wrong way and you are also more likely to say things you don't really mean in a text when you wouldn't face to face. I agree they are really handy to keep in touch, make arrangements, ask dh to get shopping etc but they shouldn't replace a phone call and sadly they do.

[Netty]

I think I've only sent about three texts ... just can't be bothered with them! and you never know if/when it will be received - would rather phone if it is important, or email.

[MrTempleDene]

texting has it's place, but to talk or text at the table, rude!

and if you're trying to sort out arrangments, speaking is always better.

I text rarely, and usually only if I know the other person won't be able to answer the phone.

[elkatie]

TBH my phones usually off or I dont hear it bleep or ring so no point in anyone texting me! My friends know to call on the normal phone or pop in. I also hate texting if I need to and still call because I find it takes me forever to type a text and its quicker to call! Funny really as I worked for a mobile phone company and my dh still does! :cheesy:

[ruthie]

I text a lot between me and the kids but usually just banter lot cheaper than phoning, or they text me to ask me to call!!! I guess its all according who you are texting and what it is about think as long as you do both and telephone if necessary it is a good thing.

[kathyhinsh]

I do txt a lot, but there r times when a call is so much better!

[sanjan]

In my case they turned out bad as a few texts led to a bad phase of my life (long story but a lot of you know what happened).

I gave up my phone after that and have not used or bothered with one for over 2 years now

[Apri]

I do txt a lot, but there r times when a call is so much better!

I text a lot to my bf - usually romantic messages and occasionally to other people but never to people I haven't spoken to in months - I would always phone them first.

[chris]

Another view about texting (and emails) - I am warming to this thread now!
What do you all think about the younger generation and this use of shortening words or replacing letters with numbers.
I am worried that young children will grow up thinking that is how the word is spelt and the English language, grammar and punctuation will disappear.
Possibility or just me being paranoid??!!

[Girlzmum]

Chris - I hate that so much, you need a dictionary to translate some of the texts I get!

As for texting I find it's been a godsend for me. I'm so tired at the minute that when the girls go to bed I'm not fit to have a conversation with anyone. Sending a text to someone lets them know that I'm thinking about them and has managed to help me to maintain friendships that probably would have been lost.

[elkatie]

Chris I agree with worrying about spelling, not that mines that hot! But my DS had some spellings and spelt something wrong, when I corrected him he said thats what his cousin writes in messages to him. Hmmmm What is not spelt wot! So had a word with his cousin (14) and asked him to write messages properly to his younger cousins or just phone them.

[Ellie]

I love texts! - they have refounded my relationship with my big sis, and its prob how me and Colette keep in touch mostly

[Sarah]

Another view about texting (and emails) - I am warming to this thread now!
What do you all think about the younger generation and this use of shortening words or replacing letters with numbers.
I am worried that young children will grow up thinking that is how the word is spelt and the English language, grammar and punctuation will disappear.
Possibility or just me being paranoid??!!

I can't stand it!!! It drives me mad. I hate the shortened 'text' grammar. The kids laugh at me because I just can't do it - can't bear it. I have to write every word out properly, use pronunciation where it's required and make sure it's all spelled correctly. I can't stand shortened texts, emails or anything else - there's no need for it!

[Olive_Oil]

wat u mean? i neva do tht. srude. lol

[Sarah]

wat u mean? i neva do tht. srude. lol

:hissyfit:

[Olive_Oil]

:cheesy:

[Sarah]

;)

[Girlzmum]

I love texts! - they have refounded my relationship with my big sis, and its prob how me and Colette keep in touch mostly

Definately - we have 5 kids under 4 between us and geting 5 uninterrupted minutes in the day are incredibly hard to come by and in the evenings you worry about calling in case you wake the kids.

[runragged]

I'm guilty of texting, as I can say what I want, uninterupted, straight to the point for 10p!

If it's important though, I will phone & speak in person. smiledance

[Sarah]

I get 250 free texts a month :happy72:

[Girlzmum]

I get 1000!!!!!! I got a contract in Dec and still haven't managed to use them all!

[Sarah]

I get 1000!!!!!! I got a contract in Dec and still haven't managed to use them all!

Gosh that's good -how much do you pay a month?? I get 30 free minutes too.

[Girlzmum]

Atm, £15 per month, but it'll go up to £30 after 12 months (18 month contract) it also includes 300 call minutes, 50 mms, 50 video minutes and £5 downloads. I use the downloads very quickly!

[Sarah]

Mines £15 a month too but mine is permanent. I don't use video or downloads - just texts and very occasionally call time.

[loopychick]

i txt all the time unless i need the person there and then cos i dont like waiting for them to reply if i need them for a favour or if i'm doing them a favour etc but i do think txting is good, in my view a friend is someone you see regularly and you ring them and txt them regularly too if i txt or ring that person and they dont ring me in a month or something then i assume they are fit and well but busy with their own life etc but if they are in an accident or anything of course i will understand the situation but either way i dont get angry becuase they dont answer my txt etc if you know what i mean by that little essay