Why do you believe so many people prefer to communicate via text/chat when talking on the phone would be more efficient?

Honestly, I hate the phone. And I’d rather communicate instantly, never mind the convenience of being able to send someone a message they can view when they’re available.

The phone is not necessarily more efficient. On many occasions conversations I have had with my mother over the phone have ended in yelling and tears while nearly identical conversations via text end with understanding. Sometimes it’s best to let people process.

All in all it comes down to convenience, and it signifies nothing. Times change. It’s just another method of communication. I once heard that the telephone was originally feared by some to be the downfall of the handwritten note. We still use both. People who say the same about texting or emails are just silly.

That said, you’ve asked a LOT of questions for one thread, dude.

When I do this, it’s usually because what I thought was going to be a 1–2 text conversation exploded into a short novel. Or it’s because the person on the other side isn’t in a situation where they can talk, but can text freely. And although you definitely shouldn’t text and drive, sometimes it’s easier to concentrate on one thing at at time in short bursts instead of trying to divide your attention between a phone conversation and whatever you’re doing.

Also I love that your list of ‘hazards’ is listed at the end the way it is. As if a car accident is less serious than a mud puddle. Haha.

You can be just as distracted by a regular phone call as you can by texting and neither one is more likely to cause you to bump into people or get into accidents. They both can.

I think part of the reason why texting is done so much is because it can be done silently, so if you’re in a quiet place or in a place where you don’t want to disturb someone, it’s silent. Also, texting is like sending a letter. They get it and they can respond whenever they want. Calling someone means they have to respond right then and there and don’t have much time to plan a response. Calling also takes more time, so if all you want to do is ask someone where they are, it might be easier to text them rather than to call them and wait for it to ring, etc. If you send someone a text, they’re going to get it no matter what. But if you call someone, they might not be there to pick up the phone.

Also, what you said about multiple conversations is true. With texting, you can talk to more than one person, whereas with calling you’re committed to one conversation. Texting allows you to talk to multiple people at once and often, I find myself doing that.

Additionally, I do think sometimes it is easier to talk to someone through text than it is in person or on the phone. It does decrease awkwardness. I came out to several of my friends by text because it was easier that way.

@DominicX I disagree with your first statement. I think texting/chatting is much more dangerous, for no other reason than the fact that you are looking at something else. Both are inherently distracting, but while talking on the phone you can at least look ahead.

@mirifique: All of your arguments – efficiency, danger – are based on your assumption that we all use our phones in the same manner.

I can text without looking at my phone. I can speak and be brought to a halt by a conversation, and I can become far more dangerous while on the phone actively processing and responding. I know this based on the bruises I have gotten walking into things while talking on the phone.

You’re views are not based on facts, just assumptions.

I love talking on the phone-in comfort and laughing to tears with someone.

@faye: That didn’t really answer the question.

@asmonet I thought I would have avoided doing that by prefacing the entire question with: “It might just be me, but recently I’ve observed that…” I’m not sure how I could have rephrased the question as this is clearly based on my particular observations and assumptions, but I’d be interested in your suggestions as to alternative phrasing/structuring.

I also do not think it is a widely accepted or believed notion that texting is safer than talking on the phone; I realize there are exceptional people who can text without looking at the phone, but I’d say comfortably that most people use their phones in generally the same manner, that is, we need to look at our phones to use them. I don’t know of any way to quantify this statistically, but just walking around town every single day, I can safely say most people look at their phones while texting unless of course they are covertly texting with their hand in their pocket, look-out

And also, I texted 10 people while composing this response; they all agree with me :p

@asmonet
I never thought of that. I wish my Mom could text. It would simplify my life immensely.
got your messages…yes still believe myself to be a separate human being from you..talk soon..

Talking on the phone can be overheard. Talking on the phone doesn’t afford you the time to mull over text and then decide what to say in a few words as possible. I found it easier to say or ask things in text that would have been uncomfortable on the phone. Text is great for dropping sweets to someone on the sly, maybe a picture or a link to something on the internet or just flirtatious words.

For me if I want to “talk” to my friend its easier to be able to set my phone down and do some laundry or wash some dishes if we are texting instead of actually talking. Plus if I’m done, I just quit responding-much easier than trying to get off the phone.

I have one company that licenses my art for products and they almost exclusively use texting to communicate with me.

I think texting is actually more efficient in this respect because I am able to refer to the texts like notes.

(Like @asmonet I really do not like to talk on the phone)

@mirifique: I was speaking more to your comments than your question, but both have the same issue. I’m really not invested enough in this subject to pick apart your phrasing, your attitude or the question itself. I answered. Whatever.

@SeventhSense: It took like six years for her to be taught, forget, be taught, forget, repeat, repeat, repeat, get an iPhone and figure it out because magically it became that easy. Oy.

I think people around my age, 19, 20, 21, are the first group of people that is honestly afraid to talk on the phone. This doesn’t go for everyone, of course, but so many people would rather text text text than make a quick phone call. It’s like they were never taught how efficient a phone conversation can be and are scared to have to speak to a real person rather than look at a phone screen. It’s frustrating!

@mirifique I’m basically with you. I get sucked into too many conversations via text or IM that could be held 10 times faster over the phone. For me, texts/IMs are best when at least one of the following is true:

1. Both parties aren’t in a hurry to get anywhere with the conversation, and are conversing while also doing other things, and lengthy pauses between exchanges aren’t a problem.
2. The message is short.
3. One party just wants the other to see the message eventually; it’s not time-critical and immediate response is not required.
4. One or both parties are in an environment where they can’t talk out loud freely.

Well believe it or not most people cant afford a fancy cellphone plan. The best we a can get is a nice text pack, and it’s useful if you need to tell someone something they’ll need to remember like an address.

@Bugabear But you can say in a 30 second cell phone conversation what might take 10 messages to text…and in most cases texting is an additional monthly fee so…i’d say talking is cheaper 9 times out of 10.

@deni Agreed.

@asmonet I thought you all were so smart you could infer that I prefer talking to texting! And as he said it was a short novel so I thiught a comment would be fine.

Removed by me. I just don’t care.

@asmonet no kind of insult intended-just having a little lightheartedness

honestly… i have no idea y i prefer texting to other forms of communication. i guess its because so much time is spent writing the message, it always comes out the way u want it to, and it makes the conversations last so much longer and make them last longer. of course theres always the fact that when texting, a three hour conversation can be started from simply saying “wat r u doing”. it kills unwanted time and is great while working.

I like to talk on the phone, so my phone gene, like my shopping gene, is obviously overly developed for a guy. Texting, I hate it. I hate it because I can’t do it. Shit, it takes me a minute or two just to put a person’s name in my address book on my cell phone after I add their number. I couldn’t imagine trying to carry on a conversation on that tiny keypad. I make so many errors just typing on the computer that trying to text would be tatamount to juggling/spinning plates on sticks while chasing a bear that’s riding on a bicycle while I’m bouncing on a pogo stick.

Minority here, in that I hate texting.

@iRemy_y does have a good point in favor of texting though. If you’re just chatting throughout the day with someone about unimportant things, you have more time to make things sound right. I find this is especially handy if I’m sending my boyfriend a sweet little text in the middle of the day, or whatever. It would be weird if I called him and said “Hey…I just wanted to tell you that I’m eating a banana and thinking of you…” hahaha ONE because he would be busy at work and TWO because it’s just a better situation for texting.

I do feel corny when I discuss serious issues via text though. I much prefer to be TALKING to someone if it’s about anything that is important and matters.

Text/chat offers two advantages:

1) Easy to reach multiple receivers
2) Asynchronous communication i.e. the receiver decides when to answer

@mattbrowne Your #2 is one of the best features of all.

There’s a time and a place for each. That being said, I’ve seen people send 30+ texts to set up a meeting place and time with their friends and end up with it still not resolved until they call. We’re lucky we have both means of communication. We just need to choose when to use each. And choosing can mean waiting before responding so you can respond in the best medium.