Phone Etiquette

I don't use textspeak, though.  I type the entire word, including correct punctuation.  But that's just me 

Same here.  I refuse! 

No txtspk textspeak for me either. I abhor it!

As for texting itself, well, I suppose some people like it and some don't. As was mentioned previously, I'd much rather the person next to me on the bus be texting his/her friend than yakking away on the phone. But that's just me.

I don't text or use a mobile all that often, to be honest. But I do find texting to be really convenient at times; a week ago I was on holiday with six friends and trying to coordinate meeting places and times was made so much easier by texting each other. One text to six people - BINGO!

 And I was not going to be where I said...I would call that person out of respect.  Why?  Because no matter what either society has deemed as "socially acceptable.  It is the right thing to do.  PERIOD!  It is also what somebody does who has principles that reach far and beyond what everybody else 'may or may not' do.

And when it concerns my (British) wife the bar even jumps higher.  Apparently, you are concluding in your own words and your zero senslessness that this is nothing more to be characterized than simply just "information."  My wife and my friends stand for so much more that just that.  This isn't about the message itself or the utterly stupid excuse of wasting 20P a minute on a phone call.  This is about having enough respect and decency to pick up the phone and inject just a shred of humanity instead of a lazy robotic message in broken English.

You are entering quite rude and judgemental territory.  People's opinions differ on this subject and it doesn't mean they are being disrespectful or stupid.  It also doesn't mean they are lacking in decency or principles.  Get a grip.


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I am another one that likes texts. 

I work in an open plan office and voices echo around the room.  I have have no desire for my personal conversations with my BF to be broadcasted.  We also don't have an accessible room to go for a quiet conversation, unless I go into the loo.  Ick.  My previous job didn't let you take personal phone calls so texts became even more important. 

I also cannot check personal emails (yahoo) from work and I am rarely at my desk because my day is literally moving from meeting to meeting.  Texts become necessary to make plans with people.  Otherwise, I would never seen or speak to anyone!  I can grab a few seconds to text between meetings, shooting off to the loo, or getting a drink. 

Texts actually keep me and my BF more in contact.  Again, given my work day, and his to be honest, we just don't have the luxury of time to catch up.  It is nice to get a few texts throughout the day to let you know your SO is thinking about you. 

During my commute, texts again are really important.  I often go through tunnels or areas of low reception.  The number of times I have been in a conversation and have it cut out.  It is a pain! So you text and by the time you are out of the tunnel you usually have a response!

I could go on and on.  Just because I like texts, doesn't mean I never speak on the phone.  There is a time and a place for everything.  Texting is legitimately more convenient in numerous circumstances.

And as someone who keeps a budget and is on PAYG, yeah, texts are a lot cheaper.  And I also never use text speak.  I just can't give in.

This isn't about the message itself or the utterly stupid excuse of wasting 20P a minute on a phone call. This is about having enough respect and decency to pick up the phone and inject just a shred of humanity instead of a lazy robotic message in broken English.

I'm guessing you have plenty of spare money to spend on 20p-a-minute phone calls, then?

I've been a university student for 6 of the last 9 years and working a retail job on just above minimum wage for the other 3 years (due to a lack of graduate jobs because of the recession) and so I've barely had enough money for rent/bills, food and petrol, let alone enough to pay for mobile phone calls at 20p a minute. If texting instead means that I can save some money and put that towards the cost of running my car or paying my bills, then I'm definitely going to text instead of call.

I'm also someone who likes texts.

If someone wants to discretely text their S.O. that they'll be home late, it doesn't bother me.

I think it's much more rude for them to get up and walk away from me so they can talk to someone else - if it isn't an emergency.

I don't understand what the big deal is with text speak, though.

I wouldn't use it when texting people I don't know very well, and I wouldn't use it on an internet forum.

But I don't see anything wrong with using quick, informal shorthand when texting someone with whom you are in a close relationship - assuming that the other person can understand you.

Communication between people who are close is supposed to be comfortable and easy.

I think the issue might have more to do with the fact that some people aren't used to text speech, so there are times when someone might not understand what is being said.

In that case, I agree that text speak shouldn't be used.

But if both people are comfortable with text speak, then what's the problem?

as i'm reading this i just got a text from my husband who is at the pub saying he'll be home later than he expected.

Also, my co-worker says to me today that she wishes her husband would just randomly text her during the day to see how she is when mine texted me to say he was thinking about me.  Not something that needed to be said, not something that you'd just ring someone at work over but pretty darned nice to get. 

Texting is useful.  If you don't like it, dont do it.  If people text you, don't respond. 

But I don't see anything wrong with using quick, informal shorthand when texting someone with whom you are in a close relationship - assuming that the other person can understand you.

I usually only use text speak if my text is too long and I need to shorten it so that it fits into just one message instead of two. I don't only really use much of it though, mostly just things like: 'u' (you), '2' (to or too), 2moro (tomorrow), 'tho' (though) and 'cos' (because).

Moderator: Please guys, play nice.  We sometimes differ in opinions and that's OK! However, we're all talking to real people on the other end, with different cultural backgrounds, and some of us make more than others, some of us prefer to text, some of us would rather call, and some of us would rather use two tin cans and a line of string.  Whilst we can all differ in opinion on this subject, its not OK to be rude or attack someone's opinion or cultural backgrounds.

Also, my co-worker says to me today that she wishes her husband would just randomly text her during the day to see how she is when mine texted me to say he was thinking about me.  Not something that needed to be said, not something that you'd just ring someone at work over but pretty darned nice to get. 

 

Aww.

I don't understand what the big deal is with text speak, though.

I wouldn't use it when texting people I don't know very well, and I wouldn't use it on an internet forum.

But I don't see anything wrong with using quick, informal shorthand when texting someone with whom you are in a close relationship - assuming that the other person can understand you.

I just don't like it, so I don't use it. But it doesn't bother me (OK, maybe just a little  ) when other people use it.

I tend to shorten messages in a sort of telegram way, which I suppose is no better or worse than using textspeak. For instance, if I'm texting someone to make arrangements to meet, I might say, "Meet you at pub near post office," leaving out the "the"s.

I am a die hard texter - I have been for years...I also multi-task loads so texting is easier.
I also text back and forth to the states whenever and where ever I want so I am constant contact with friends and family without having to fork that bill.  This is thanks to google voice app on my iphone. 
I am on a PAYG plan and it doens't stretch to far if I am ON the phone to someone and I only top up every other month £10-£15 sinc eI get 300-500 texts and blahblah...

I think communication is communication however you slice it...

Now about txtspk - I shorten things sure but gosh friends here and guys DH works with from Scotland AND my little brother in Jersey text and type where I can barely understand. They text like they would speak and some of it it quite scarey.

Heck my DH when he text's me "ok" he still does O.K. me and the kids make fun of him saying you don't need the periods just write ok ;-)

It comes down to comfortablity, technology and communciations - whatever works for you or you could be draggin kicking and screaming into the 21st century as I keep telling DH ;-)

Since we can't seem to get along without slagging off cultural differences, I'm locking this topic. 

I couldn't watch this earlier in the day, so I locked it. But I'm finding it quite an interesting discussion about texting- so... as long we can play nice, I'll keep it open. 
Thanks 

Same here.  I refuse! 

I don't use textspeak either.  When I get such a message, it actually takes me longer to read than one where the words are typed out.

I tend to shorten messages in a sort of telegram way, which I suppose is no better or worse than using textspeak. For instance, if I'm texting someone to make arrangements to meet, I might say, "Meet you at pub near post office," leaving out the "the"s.

I do this as well, but I do also use textspeak.  I'm often in a hurry when I'm texting, and I find it is really quite a slow process and it drives me mad sometimes, so I will take almost every opportunity to shorten words to speed up the process.

Like most of you, I'd never use textspeak online or on paper (unless I was being creative and writing a story or poem where textspeak was featured or being used). 

I have an old friend, my age who uses it on her facebook page, and writes in all lower case letters, no or very little punctuation, and she comes across as being very uneducated, which is not the case.  It also makes her seem a bit learning impaired which is also not the case.  I don't know why she doesn't see this.