Texting and GenX | TheaterFire

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Unionsrox@reddit

We remember that electronics have an off button.

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Efficient-Towel-4193@reddit

Because we are busy man...and also...we are the last generation who doesnt mind phone calls.

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Nelyahin@reddit

I'm a serious texter... In fact won't really answer the phone.

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Stock-Blackberry-812@reddit

Thank god starting to think I was the only one that despised talking on the phone plus a text I can respond on my time not someone else’s

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Nelyahin@reddit

Exactly.... Texting can happen between the 100 things I'm doing or in between the times I don't feel like being social

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22Shattered@reddit

Yeap, me too, but I text back when I feel like it unless it’s my daughters or my mom…

With my lede bro also Gen X - I text and he calls … it’s so annoying, but at least he makes it quick. :))

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allaboutaphie@reddit

People get mad at me all the time because I missed their text, whatever if that important call. I will ignore your call but will check my text messgs..lol

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Organic_Mix2282@reddit

I love it for that simple reason, I can ignore it, the way I use to ignore landlines. My time, not yours respect the boundaries.

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Head_Trick_9932@reddit

As long as you’re cool left on read for days too.

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OP a serious question, why do you think someone should respond to you immediately? If it's urgent, why wouldn't you just call? As a text recipient it's up to me to decide if and when I respond because if you haven't texted and it's saying it wasn't an urgent thing or your have an expectation of a response time, that is your expectation, not the text recipient.

As the recipient of a text message, my phone is for my convenience and to respond when I think it's appropriate or not and definitely not for your convenience. To be honest I think technology has shaped your expectation rather than what is deemed reasonable and fair expectation in a two way conversation.

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stunneddisbelief@reddit

Agreed. Before cell phones, if you called someone on a landline and they didn’t answer, you had to wait and try again. If you called someone and had to leave a message on the answering machine, you had no idea when that person would listen to it and call back. You had to wait for the other person to respond on their own timeline.

Heck, even WITH cell phones, if you call and it goes to VM, you’re waiting for the receiver to actually listen to it and then respond.

I don’t know why text messages have this expectation of a faster response.

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More_Law6245@reddit

I think because Instant Messaging is now part of our daily lives that we have become conditioned (Pavlov's dog) to answer the message ASAP. Also younger generations don't like using the phone for a call, there is a preference to text and this actually does my head in with my staff.

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_genepool_@reddit

I fucking hate texting. You want to communicate? Call .

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Head_Trick_9932@reddit

And I hate talking on the phone.:/

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illyria817@reddit

Hear hear.

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Head_Trick_9932@reddit

I can’t stand talking on the phone- had enough of that in the 80’s so I do prefer text. However, my friends are pretty prompt, except 1. She’ll take a few hours but never days. And if it’s important, she will always text back quickly. Granted I’m a younger Gen X so maybe that’s why? My siblings are 5-9 years older than me though and they’re prompt, too.

Maybe you just have inconsiderate friends.:/

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Jolly_Grocery329@reddit

I use text as a message board. Not a walkie-talkie. We’re not 15

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ONROSREPUS@reddit

Are they like me and would rather talk on the phone then have a huge text chain?

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Ok_Echo_6528@reddit

IMO the gap between 1965 and 1980 seems way bigger than just 15 years.

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22Shattered@reddit

That’s why I turned off read notification - so intrusive. I’ll read and reply when I’m good and ready. Yeah you’re acting old and annoying. So, stop thinking you’re old and give people wiggle room. Jesus Christ… wtf is “timely fashion” this is such an annoying complaint. Get over it.

1979

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Tokogogoloshe@reddit

I'm on the same page as you. My close friends usually get instant replies. But I'm not tethered to the world. Sometimes I just want to be left alone.

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FirstLalo@reddit

Totally. Isn't "leave me alone" the GenX credo?

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22Shattered@reddit

For me my daughters and mom asap. But even with my bestest friend since I was 14 that I’m crazy about) I tell her I’ll read when I can (she actually asked me about it) and I told her straight up that shit is abrasive - I need my autonomy and it’s my opinion that everyone should turn that stupid shit off and adjust their expectations and end this “u left me on read” bull shit. No good comes out of this feature”

Yeah I REALLYYYYY DISLIKE IT!! Haha

Happy Sunday FUNDAZE ✨🌬️🍃🩷🪻🌸🌸🪻🌻✨✨✨✨✨

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FirstLalo@reddit

What is a "timely fashion?" What's the deadline? What is going on? Do they owe you money?

I'll sometimes send a message to either of my closest friends dramatic like Are we beefing?!? if they don't reply in a couple of days but those are the two people who share itineraries and calendars, people I've known for 40 years.

I do get ragtag complaints from people who don't have a high rating and haven't realized and I'm cordial about it but they don't want anything but attention and that's not my problem.

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Anig_o@reddit

Funny. I was thinking about this yesterday. I have a lot of boomer and GenX friends who don’t like texting and get uppity about it. I had a realization that I actually prefer texting and have decided that I now have the right to get uppity when other people choose not to use my preferred method of communicating.

We all have preferences. I’ll remember yours and if you want to talk to me more often you should remember mine.

(Wow that sounded bitchy. It’s not meant to be. Just a statement of self awareness. Also. Please stay off my lawn).

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FirstLalo@reddit

Random people who are not main characters call call call complaining, I've been trying to reach you! And I say, Not really because yk that phone is always silenced.

Serious people know to call the landline or text my cell. That's it. And for me, texting is not a synchronous or even daily activity ... I'm not standing around all the time holding a phone, real ones know.

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theghostofcslewis@reddit

Sit on read? Hell, just checked and I have 22 unread. I wrote a song about it maybe 15 years ago. It had to do with the perceived notion that somehow I didn't think these messages, links, jokes, voicemails, emails, texts, videos, and so on, were somehow important. I congratulated those who noticed. The song mentioned the importance of my privacy and included valid reasons (wife,3 kids, 4 dogs, 5 cars, boats, multiple homes). The song was called "I'm not home" and was sung by an alter ego named "Tone Drone Uni" who was also "Steve Sharpton." Al Sharpton's brother (but not really). We had hundreds of guitar picks made up with the names on each side. The emphasis was mainly on individuals who would just show up at my home. Not necessarily unannounced, as there would have surely been missed calls or texts informing me that they were trying to reach me. The idea was that if you cannot contact me, I'm not home. If you see the lights on, I'm not home, if you hear voices while standing at my door, and the television is on, and you can see me right through the window.....I'm not home. We also did another Tone Drone Uni hit called "she was a waitress, not a prostitute". It was about how often police services and investigations go south.

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blur410@reddit

I had a friend once.

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Suspicious_Spite5781@reddit

Was it at band camp?

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Naive_Finding_1287@reddit

🤣

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HolyHandGrenade_92@reddit

come to reality- if they don't respond, they don't care. they don't care about you. now what? ok, np, you got plenty of other things to do, don't argue with these people, let them go. they wouldn't respond anyway, why waste your time? go from 'good guy,' to- cya later, w/no confirmation. plan your day, week, month minus these people. problem solved.

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rivenshire@reddit

Follow up with another text. If that doesn't work, try calling. In other words, try harder. If they consistently don't reciprocate, leave them alone and see if they initiate. If not, try again in the future. Eventually you may lose touch, but that's on them.

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RedditSkippy@reddit

I disabled the “read” function in iMessage. I generally respond to texts quickly, but it’s nobody’s business when I see your message.

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rivenshire@reddit

This is the way.

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gjohill@reddit

How do I do this so I won't have someone bitching at me about reading and not responding?

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FujiKitakyusho@reddit

How are they going to bitch at you? They'd have to call.

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-carolinagirl69-@reddit

Settings

Apps

Messages

Turn off read receipts

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After_Narwhal8582@reddit

i showed my group of old bitties how to do voice memos instead of text - they cant pay attention long enough to reply to a text and if they do its half ass because they cant be bothered to type "Too much"

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Apart-Wing-1298@reddit

that is strange to me. we were the first generation to begin texting and emails actually! But all my friends and i have blackberries the day they came out and were using the SMS feature nonstop. then years a later it became mainstream and coworkers, clients and friends immediately learned the importance of responding asap. now, 20 years later, the only people i can count on to respond almost instantly, are people between 40 and 55. Its just not that important to the rest of the world it seems...

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kjs0705@reddit

My two closest friends and I keep a Signal chat since we have lived in different states for a long time. I find us having a dedicated space separate from text and the normal day to day stuff keeps us more in touch.

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itsmyvoice@reddit

This. My fiance and I use a different app, outside of text. It separates conversation in a totally different category.

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Representative-Mean@reddit

Yeah shits annoying. At least let me know you didn’t die

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davyj0427@reddit

When I don’t respond and my wife tells me that, I tell her that if I did die the police would eventually come and tell her.

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davyj0427@reddit

Didn’t realize it was a Gen X thing. I do this all the time. I thought it was just me. I don’t drop everything to answer a text. I also don’t grab my phone for every notification that comes through. Also how are you losing friends over it? Are you blocking them because you don’t have the patience to wait for a response?

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R67H@reddit

I evolved with the tech. Texting is preferred, as it doesn't impose on the receiver. Like, text me back when you have time... it's all good! If I need something right away I'll text, give it a few min and then call. If you never want to hear from me again, leave a voice mail.

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Bumpyslide@reddit

My phone transcribes the voicemail so even then I don’t have to listen to it

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R67H@reddit

Mine as well. Although I don't pay very close attention. My outgoing says "If you need me sooner than 24 hours, text me". I'm not so important that someone on a landline needs to speak with me right away. Even IF my car warranty is expiring

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Kattzoo@reddit

Would far prefer to communicate by text. Unless it's an emergency it gives me the option to wait until it's convenient to respond.

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wyr8@reddit

Don't be needy. Find a hobby that doesn't depend on other people.

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PrairieGrrl5263@reddit

Whatever dude. Nobody owes you communication on your schedule.

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theantidrug@reddit

The loneliness epidemic in one post

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Acceptable_Reality10@reddit

My core group of 6 of us text almost everyday and then we all got into gaming together and dude what a blast that’s been. Even have a couple Australians we’ve known for 20+yrs from gaming now. Absolutely the best way to stay in touch for us.

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NoDanaOnlyZuuI@reddit

Would they prefer a phone call?

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Beatrix_Kitto@reddit

I’m with you. Text over call anytime. It pisses me off because you know 90% of the time their phone is in their hand or right next to them.

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MooPig48@reddit

I’m sorry. I’m in menopause and the brain fog is real. I promise I MEANT to respond. And then I saw a squirrel/got an “important” teams call from my boss/left the pizza in the oven too long and the house is now filled with smoke/the dog swallowed a sock, do we need to take him to ER?

But I promise, I genuinely meant to answer

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scrumbud@reddit

I'm not in menopause, but I do have ADHD, which seems to have the effect with the brain fog.

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juniper3411@reddit

The combo is brutal by the way lol. Also your meds don’t work as well when in peri. Blergh.

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MooPig48@reddit

And people in menopause can develop it even if they didn’t have it before!

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juniper3411@reddit

They can get late diagnosed with it cause their normal coping mechanisms fail due to the beast that is peri but adhd is lifelong you don’t just develop it. Not being persnickety just have done a metric ton of research on it. Late diagnosed myself but always had it but no one realized it (girl who did well in school through panic and being somewhat smart).

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Beatrix_Kitto@reddit

Lol! Okay, this is valid.

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LisaLisaPrintJam@reddit

Unless you absolutely know someone's habits, please don't assume. It's not uncommon for me to leave my phone on the other side of the house when I get involved with something. I was hanging out with friends in the backyard last night - phone was in the living room. That's just the way my life goes. I see people glued to their phone 24/7, and I try not to judge, but it's just not my thing.

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Beatrix_Kitto@reddit

Since I’ve known them over half my life, I’m pretty sure I know their habits. It takes zero time to respond yes or no to a question. I don’t expect instant responses, I don’t expect super fast responses when people are working but letting a half a day, to a day go by without a response, is rude and inconsiderate.

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LisaLisaPrintJam@reddit

Yes, you're right - especially for a quick response. I'm trying to do better myself.

Ironically, I work in tech.

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Rand_74@reddit

I’ve never liked talking on the phone. My wife and I text each other 90% of the time. I talk to my mom 2-3 times a week. Other than that I’m good with texting.

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AZJHawk@reddit

Yeah - talking to my parents makes up 90% of my non-work telephone calls. I hate talking on the phone and would much rather text if possible.

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CosmicFelineFoliage@reddit

The older I get, the more I prefer people just come find me when they want to talk. I hardly ever carry my phone on me and rarely leave the house with it except when I am walking my dogs. Everyone knows to just stop over. If I’m here, I’m here and we can visit. If I’m not, try again another time. I work in tech and with AI constantly. I’m over it. But if someone calls or text me, I do respond when I look at my phone. That might be in 5 minutes or 15 hours. Depends on the day. The phone is not for anyone’s convenience or needs besides my own.

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brokencappy@reddit

I don’t physically move my body around easily anymore. So I would never just “come find” you unless you answered my specific text asking if you were there. If you make no effort to coordinate with me I make no effort to do anything with you, full stop.

And never would I ever “try again another time”. Especially with these gas prices.

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CosmicFelineFoliage@reddit

That sounds like a you problem. A lot of assumptions in your comment. You assume I do easily move physically. You assume I live in a large enough city to make “gas prices” an issue. You assume I make no effort to coordinate with others I want to speak with. You assume the people in my life are bothered by this. None of those things are true.

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battlesong1972@reddit

I’m glad my friend groups aren’t like that since we coordinate pretty much everything via text. However if I’m texting with someone else and it ends up being longer than a couple of sentences or a couple of messages I’m calling

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Ok-Actuator8579@reddit

It’s inconsiderate I agree

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obxtalldude@reddit

Having no expectations helps me keep from getting mad at people I like.

A text is not a summons. I figure they'll get back to me when they feel like it.

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Independent-Dog5311@reddit

Some of my Boomer friends don't respond at all. They'd rather I call even if it's just for a brief message.

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StatementSensitive17@reddit

I hate texting conversations. Unless it's a quick thing, I don't like texting. Someone texts me and I want to send a thoughtful response but I don't have the time so I tell myself I'll do it later and I forget. I'm not the type to shoot quick texts back and forth. It's too much work for my brain. If they want to talk, call me. I call themand they don't answer but they text me right away and say What's up?.

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Jensen1994@reddit

Gen X here but prefer texts. Absolutely gutted when I text and someone fucking rings back.

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MidwestAbe@reddit

You're gutted when the phone rings from someone you want to communicate with?

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Jensen1994@reddit

Gutted may be overstating it. Wanting to communicate is not the same as wanting to talk...

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SushiGirlRC@reddit

Evenmy 82 y/o mom texts rather than calls now...

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TwistinInTheWind@reddit

My mom's reasons for texting or email vs a call. 1. So I know that I already told you something and don't repeat it ad nauseum. (this one is greatly appreciated) 2. If I'm telling you and your [2] brothers something about my health or other life status, I can tell all of you at once vs 3 phone calls where I leave details out.

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kat_storm13@reddit

My mom is in early dementia and now the texts don't always remind her that she said something or someone said something to her. After she sent that text I had to tell her twice there was a bottle of wine in the fridge. To be fair it was lying on its side so could easily be missed

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TwistinInTheWind@reddit

Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. My boomer boyfriend was in early dementia and then took a pretty big down turn all of a sudden in October. They did a million tests to check for other causes, but no infections, no vitamin or electrolyte imbalance, blood sugar fine. He was inpatient for 3 weeks, then rehab and then home. He was doing pretty well until 3 weeks ago. Like he was back to being able to drive familiar places and knew what was thing on. He's been in the hospital for 2 weeks because he fell 3 times at home and I had to call EMS for lift assist. He knows us when we are there, but doesn't always know where he is. Plus he's having hallucinations. Nothing upsetting, just sees stuff around the room. "You don't see the dinosaur over there? They don't bother me, I just wish you could see them too." Sad thing is, I've been wanting to leave for at least a year and move back closer to my mom. I am devastated that this is happening to him, but thankfully his kids and his sister understand that I'm not just jumping ship. Dementia is a cruel disease I don't wish it on anyone. I've been with him for 5 years, I care about him and this isn't the way I wanted the end to be. He HATED his cell phone and even worse texting. Dude, my mom is 10 years older than you and has figured out her iPhone, iPad and apple watch, your age is no excuse. (Also, my mom has been repeating stories for at least my adulthood, I think it's more ADHD.)

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kat_storm13@reddit

My mom almost always uses talk to text so there is sometimes the fun game of, which word did she actually mean.

She actually used the keyboard the other day and I had to call her right away cuz damn, it was like she had a stroke or something!

"When you are coming back. Buybusxa bottlevorvbox ifcwine...I likecred ircwhitecsonpick what younlike"

Followed by: "Omygod. That msg is hard to read!!! I likened better butvbuy whqtvyoynlike cuz I like both"

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Nanarchist329@reddit

I used to be into texting, but digital communication has proliferated to the point where it feels like a never-ending conversation, and that is exhausting. Conversation should be time bound. My brain needs alone time. And you have no idea what is happening on the other end of a text message. People shouldn’t be available to each other with urgency 24/7 for just making conversation. When I’m busy, I’m not able to respond to texts in a truly thoughtful way.

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Lucifang@reddit

Yep. And at our age we have more important shit to worry about while we give fewer fucks about maintaining empty convos.

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OkIncrease6030@reddit

I never got into the habit of communicating by text. Everyone in my family, including the generation older than me, is pretty good with WhatsApp though. (That means we respond within a day or so).

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AbbreviationsOk2333@reddit

If I absolutely need to talk to someone, I’ll text them “Hey, can you talk now?” Never just call without a warning text…. how rude! Haha!

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ErNz77@reddit

Ive sent texts to a couple people, next thing you know my damn phone is ringing.

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WhitneyFebreeze@reddit

That’s so millenial

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unsafe357@reddit

Same here bud. It’s depressing as fuck. “No one needs anyone, they don’t even just pretend…”

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therelybare5@reddit

My wife and I, along with my sister and our moms (Moms and kids) have a texting group and I swear we are lucky to get a response from my mom the same day! 😂

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AelixD@reddit

Purely a texter. The only phone calls I have that last morentham 30 seconds are with my wife. Even my kid texts me.

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chamrockblarneystone@reddit

I love texts. I try to at leat give a ty or a lol. I don’t need a half hour of telephone time. I never did. Ever.

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thebestestofthebest@reddit

I’m getting to the point I hate hearing any noise my phone makes because of the amount of spam calls and texts.

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kat_storm13@reddit

My default message sound for texts is silent. Then anyone who texts me regularly gets a unique sound or song.

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julesil2010@reddit

I don’t like texting… I prefer to talk

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Global_Friend5300@reddit

I’m a texter. I work with the elderly, and most of my clients are quite hard of hearing. My kid has noticed a decline in my hearing since I took the job two years ago. I don’t hear well on the phone. So, texting. Yeah. I only need my glasses to see a text.

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reachers_toothbrush@reddit

a text message does not imply urgency

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DMFD_x_Gamer@reddit

Fuck that noise. As GenX as I am I fully embrace texting. I hate talking on the phone. Even my kids have learned to text me in an emergency.

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Tim-no@reddit

I don’t mind texting with my fellow X’ers, but if it’s just social banter I usually just call them after a few texts and then spend hours on the phone with them deciding wether “ Big Trouble in Little China” or “Escape from New York” was Kurt Russel’s best film.

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thinkthingsareover@reddit

This is what I do too. Check to see if they're available to chat, and if so call to hang out. Recently did this when I saw Flash Gordon on SG1. Not sure if he had work done, but he aged incredibly well.

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TreaclePerfect4328@reddit

gif

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airbornesimian@reddit

Big Trouble in Little China wins this one.

Escape from New York is great; one of my favorite movies, in fact! But Big Trouble… edges it out. It's more quotable. It has a better cheesy 80s theme song and bonkers action set pieces. Kurt Russell plays a Jack Burton who doesn't ever quite figure out he's not the main character to perfection. He and James Hong are locked in an eternal battle over who can chew more scenery (Hong wins by virtue of playing two different versions of Lo Pan). Kim Cattrall's Gracie Law is an excellent foil for Russell's Burton.

Plus, it has the most stylish accessory in all of cinema: The Six Demon Bag.

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Leading-Fly-4597@reddit

I text exclusively. Please don't ever call me. I find it quite invasive.

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Prestigious-Cap-78@reddit

Why text when you call. For genx that's not a priority.

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MoeGard@reddit

Machete don't text

gif

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travelinmatt76@reddit

I hate this so much, if you text me I will respond immediately

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Small-Palpitation310@reddit

But the great thing about texting is you can reply when you can

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travelinmatt76@reddit

Exactly, but it shouldn't take days unless you're in a hospital or lost in a cave or something

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TwistedMemories@reddit

Or taking a large dump in the toilet. Please text, I don't to care to hear you pushing one out, or flushing when you're done.

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Sinja_Minx@reddit

My friends use Signal, and we do voice recordings or group chats.

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D05wtt@reddit

This is my order of communication preference: 1) in person 2) by phone or voice chat 3) text 4) video chat 5) social media texting/msging 6) email 7) telegram 8) 2 cans and a string 9) smoke signals. And so on. I might’ve missed a few others.

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airbornesimian@reddit

2 cans and a string is actually my #1 preference, followed by paper airplanes with notes written on them.

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Genuine907@reddit

Pick. Up. The. Phone.

If you think someone is important to you, you should be motivated to call them. The fact that you relegate your connection to texts probably my speaks volumes to the people leaving you on “read”.

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Tberd771@reddit

Phone works when you dial it. Just saying

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Starbreiz@reddit

I'm a xennial and a lot of my older friends always tell me to call them bc they don't want to type. It feels weird since we basically invented the internet

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ghjm@reddit

"We" didn't invent the Internet. A vanishingly small number of us did, while the rest had fun picnics and football and sex and whatever it is normal people do. Those of us who actually invented the Internet have no problem whatsoever typing texts or emails or what have you. But we're maybe a little irritated how the picnics-and-sex crowd now wants to take credit for all the work we did.

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Starbreiz@reddit

Sorry, I've been in the industry since the 90s so I am not trying to take credit for anything I didn't do, I was just trying to be inclusive.

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ghjm@reddit

I didn't think your were. I'm talking about people my own age, who bullied "nerds" back in the day (70s/80s) but now want to make some claim over inventing the Internet because people the same age as them invented it.

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bobbierobbie76@reddit

My fellow Gen Xers…. You can turn off the “read” feature so people won’t know you saw their text and chose to ignore them.

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GeneralPatten@reddit

So much this! I turned that off the moment it became available.

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Impressive-Show-1736@reddit

Same.

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Drive-Bundy-875@reddit

No thanks, I’ll keep it on like an adult, ifgaf if they know I read their text or not

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w1tch_d0kt0r@reddit

lol. This is probably the answer you should expect.

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Impressive-Show-1736@reddit

This post just reminded me to respond to a text from a friend from 4/25!! 🤦‍♀️ But in my defense, I've had a frazzled, hectic month and just explained the sitch. It was life or death of a loved one, hospital, ICU, coma, ventilator etc.

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TheBugHouse@reddit

I for one do not stop what im doing to read a text ... call the house phone, I'm usually home in the evenings.

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ConstantConfusion123@reddit

I don't know many people who call, friends and family all text! I abhor phone calls, always have. Texting is less intrusive, you can respond when you feel like. Got a question? Just ask. Just saying hi? No need for a long phone call. Soooo much better. I text with my 25 year old son and my 68 year old friend and everyone in between.

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DarthDiggler501@reddit

I choose this person's answer 👍

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FujiKitakyusho@reddit

Hold up... You people keep your phones on you? Like, all the time?

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LisaLisaPrintJam@reddit

Right? It's usually nearby, usually M-F 9-5, but outside of those hours is random. Hell, just now I realized my phone is in another room.

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1234RedditReddit@reddit

You don’t?

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FujiKitakyusho@reddit

I keep it handy, like in a bag, or in the truck, or somewhere at home, but I think if I carried on my person all the time it would feel like a tether.

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Optimal-Ad-7074@reddit

I don't. it sits in my room and when I'm not looking at it I disable wifi.

it stays at home when I go out.

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koda5225252@reddit

😳😱

I thought my husband was bad for not having one when we met in 2007. Where do you live?

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Optimal-Ad-7074@reddit

well, my location is personal but I'm in pretty mainstream Canada ... in case you're picturing Burkina Faso or Baffin Island.

I'm aware it's unusual, but I've never been big for doing things I don't see a need for, just because "everyone" else is doing them.

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koda5225252@reddit

Sorry. Didn't mean to be personal. I just can't imagine not having a cell phone But I totally get it. In a huge way, I'm envious.

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Optimal-Ad-7074@reddit

all good 😊.

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1234RedditReddit@reddit

Wow—that’s incredible discipline. So what do you do for directions or in an emergency if you don’t have your phone?

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Optimal-Ad-7074@reddit

it's not discipline for me. I only got one in 2018 when my father was hospitalized, so I could be reached at all times by doctors and cops and lawyers and such while I was travelling back and forth all the time to see him.

now, if I'm driving somewhere and I'm worried my alternator will die or I'll need a tow truck for some other reason ... then I take it.

I rarely have a reason to keep it with me out there. I spend enough time online at home, never paid for whatever that part of a package is called. I don't need the internet out in the world. when I take it away from my home router, it's just a phone and nobody needs to reach me for any urgent reasons these days.

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Taco_El_Paco@reddit

More comfortable than wearing a watch. My phone's main function is time keeping

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hamlet_d@reddit

Texting: a message at my leisure, usually at most a day or two.

Phone call: not necessarily an emergency but something time sensitive.

Massaging in social media: may I get back to you, maybe I don't more than likely we are just sharing posts or shorts with each other

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jdewith@reddit

My current count of unread texts is 1,328.

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KDFree16@reddit

I'm anxious just reading this.

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Farpoint_Farms@reddit

I hate texting. I look at my phone maybe once a week. They suck.

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LisaLisaPrintJam@reddit

I'm sometimes guilty of this, usually because I had my earbuds attached to my laptop and didn't hear anything that came through the phone for several hours.

But it's usually a matter of hours, not days.

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GboyFlex@reddit

I use Snapchat for the people I'm close to. I'm drowning in texts but when I receive a snap I know it's "safe" lol.

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QuirkyForever@reddit

Get in touch with them in the way they want to communicate. They don't have to text if they don't want to. I'm not tied to my phone (though I do check it and answer texts). Call them. Or schedule a video call. I do this with a couple of old friends of this age, and I text with some other friends....be flexible. You're not losing touch with your friends, you're walking away from them because you want them to be different than they are.

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pixelgeekgirl@reddit

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tultamunille@reddit

Faux pas? Nah…

Fake news! Lol

Good on you!

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1234RedditReddit@reddit

I just broke out in hives.

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FaustusRedux@reddit

This is MADNESS

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Aggressive-Compote64@reddit

gif

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pixelgeekgirl@reddit

Once that count gets high enough, it almost doesn’t matter anymore…

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SecretTangerine2932@reddit

I had to break up with a longtime friend who probably clocks 10 hours of screen time a day, phone ALWAYS in her hand, but does not answer her phone ever and her voicemail says “don’t call, text”. but she would never respond to me. I’d send her a little text check in maybe once a week, something I saw that made me think of her, funny thing my kid said, etc. Nothing. I just stopped trying. It hurt.

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notanyimbecile@reddit

I'm now finding myself texting vocal messages. I felt like a total dork at first but once you try it.

I try to keep them short though.

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koda5225252@reddit

I refuse to do that. I had to draw a line someplace. Lol

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1234RedditReddit@reddit

Do people voice text you back or just type their responses?

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notanyimbecile@reddit

They do both, like they'll evidently text a 👍🏻.

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FallenValkyrja@reddit

I prefer texts and can be really bad at keeping up with people.

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rocnation88@reddit

Samsies

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Medium_Suggestion433@reddit

Call me from the rotary phone… I don’t want to respond to a text! I fuckin hate getting text messages… but I live in the real world and have to function sometimes! 🤪😂

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TwistedMemories@reddit

Oh man I love texting. I work phone support all day and when I 'm off, I hate talking on the phone. All my friends know this know that I'd rather text than talk on the phone.

I started on irc, used AOL chat rooms, AIM, MSN messenger, iCQ, skype, plus others I can't remember.

The few people I do answer tend to be long winded and go on for an hour or more

I always respond to text right away or no more than 10 minutes after I get it.

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InevitableOk5017@reddit

Maybe you have an unrealistic expectation of your friends.

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Small-Palpitation310@reddit

This right here

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Small-Palpitation310@reddit

Don’t expect text backs in a timely fashion then.

The great thing about texting is you can reply when you can or feel up to it

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1234RedditReddit@reddit

I have always responded to text messages right away, but rarely does anyone else. I’m starting to just sit on them now for a bit and that doesn’t drive me as crazy as it would have a few years ago. Someone else said that texting the new email and that is right. The only thing that gets my attention now is a phone call. I’m tempted to just silence my texts unless I’m meeting someone or expecting a text.

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Jerry-Lives22@reddit

I still prefer the rotary phone thank you very much

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ImaSource@reddit

Sounds like either your friends are tired of you, or you have bad friends.

All my friends respond to texts pretty quickly.

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FacePunchMonday@reddit

If you put me on amy kinda group chat we arent friends anymore and im muting that shit

Honestly if you have more than one texts worth of stuff to say just fuckin call

Actually, dont call either.

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1234RedditReddit@reddit

Don’t call

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kermitsfrogbog@reddit

I don’t like text conversations. Quick things? yes. Conversation? Call me. 🤙

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Curious_Instance_971@reddit

Do they prefer to talk on the phone?

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Full_Mission7183@reddit

Who in GenX is leaving on their read receipts?

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1234RedditReddit@reddit

Not me

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1234RedditReddit@reddit

Wow — I thought only millennials left people on read.

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Next-Drummer-9280@reddit

It’s like your phone has this whole other feature…being a PHONE.

Call them.

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No-Fox2087@reddit (OP)

The thing is, I was a recruiter for a few years. Young people do not pick up the phone, they only text. So now I only text. If my phone rings, I immediately assume someone died or you want to talk to me about my car’s extended warranty.

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some_one_234@reddit

I only answer the phone if I’m expecting a callback or if it’s someone in my contacts. I mostly text and occasionally email friends if it’s something like a trip plan that is long, detailed and has links. I almost never call friends

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JMPolisena@reddit

Those aren't friends.

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denvergardener@reddit

I text my friends daily. What's wrong with you?

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JMPolisena@reddit

What's wrong with you and your reading comprehension skills?

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Elektrik_Magnetix@reddit

Does anyone remember the early days of IRC when re responded to everything we recieved because the netsplits made it very unreliable? Now messaging is the new email. Lol

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positivepinetree@reddit

I hate texting, and I no longer enjoy chatting on the phone. I haven’t talked to friends in eons. I guess I just prefer to be left alone. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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RangerRick4971@reddit

My kids and their friends don’t respond to texts in a timely manner.

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TheRealJim57@reddit

If it's something requiring a timely response, call and talk to the person directly unless they ask you to text.

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Bobudisconlated@reddit

How you supposed to do that on a phone?

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Marigold1976@reddit

I feel you. But it’s not just texting. Frankly a while back everyone warmed up to their favorite platform for staying in touch with each other and if they don’t match up, then you just lose touch unless you go thru more effort. I had a friend a ways back openly pissed with me for never coming to her gatherings that she posted on Facebook. I had an account that I never used and wasn’t on my devices, hence, never knew about the gathering. After that she would text the invite but then was openly pissed because she had to make special efforts for me. I said darn, and now we aren’t friends I guess? Anyhoodle, I text, I call, and I even email gasp. Adapt or perish I suppose.

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evilkitty1974@reddit

Blows my mind that among our other accomplishments we learned/created a whole new fucking language in txt speak. 🙌

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IranticBehaviour@reddit

I mean, I think most of us suck at modern text speak. I understood most of the little abbreviations and leet speak that grew out of BBS and IRC, ICQ, etc, especially in the T9 texting days. But the ever evolving meanings and implications of emojis? Ffs.

I get that an eggplant (or a peach, etc) isn't always just an eggplant (and if you are talking groceries, type it out). But why is a pink heart a politer, kinder (and supposedly clearer) way of agreeing than a thumbs-up? And will my buddy know that I'm saying '7 o'clock is fine', or will he worry that I have surprising intentions towards him? I can't keep up with all the layers of meaning for the various hearts and such, and on my phone can barely tell the difference between the many smiley and not-so-smiley faces, let alone know what they're supposed to mean now. Same with iPhone reactions. So I try to stay safe and mostly use my words (and punctuation, to my kids' amusement), and I just ask what they meant when they emoji me something that doesn't click.

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evilkitty1974@reddit

Oh I'm not talking about today's texting, I mean back when you had to do 9 88 8 88 7 to ask what's happening & there was a cheat sheet on how to type emojis. Good times! Like everyone I got back in touch w/old schoolmates via MySpace who I hadn't talked to in yrs & I thought it was amazing that we were communicating in this new semi-language.

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Tasty_Context5263@reddit

I hate cell phones. I only carry mine begrudgingly when I'm out and about. It is almost always dead.

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JJQuantum@reddit

I have one friend who is like that. I’d send a group text about getting together and everyone would answer but him. I started adding his wife to the group text and asking her if he could come out and play and he’d get irritated and answer. She thought it was hilarious. Now he’s much more timely.

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TheNolaCatLady@reddit

I'd rather someone call me. It just seems like it's quicker and easier to call. The back and forth of typing out messages and then having to wait around for a reply annoys me. If I am busy doing something, like cooking, a phone call makes more sense to me. I can turn on speaker or use Bluetooth and talk away while my hands are free to do whatever. I'm not going to text while I have food on my hands and I don't use voice-to-text because it's awful. So yeah, I'm one of those people who will leave texts unread for days. If it were important, you should have called.

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Catnip_75@reddit

My best friend and I text everyday. But I don’t communicate with many other people through text.

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Rich_Group_8997@reddit

LOL meanwhile, if one of my two best friends calls me, i sit there and watch the phone ring because i assume they accidentally dialed my number while fumbling their phone. 😆 If they call right back, i know they meant it and I'll pick up

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flurfdooker@reddit

If you want to hear from me in a hurry, call me. If we're going to be writing paragraphs back and forth about a detailed issued, call me. If it isn't important, then you can wait until I have time to text you back.

Seriously, I must get ten "Sup?"'s a week. I'm not dropping everything to respond right back to that. Hell, I could be looking right at my phone and I might not answer just on principle.

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IranticBehaviour@reddit

Completely with you on the 'sup texts. But don't call me. With few exceptions, I probably don't want to talk to you. And definitely don't call me if you texted 'sup and I didn't respond. I might have missed it, but I almost certainly chose not to reply (busy, not in the mood, whatever).

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seansand@reddit

If I ever got a text that said nothing but "Sup?" I'd ignore it too. Is this actually a thing that happens?

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ConsuelaApplebee@reddit

Sup seansand

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Migamix@reddit

My mum is really old, I just do pings and simple "hey" once I see her typing, that's about all I need. Maybe we meet for lunch, or to just sit on her porch drowning buck moth catipillars. Did a ping a few hours ago, and was invited for the bug slaughter today.

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V1per73@reddit

I'd rather text than have a phone call interrupt what I'm doing. If I'm practicing my guitar, leatherworking or gaming, I can reply to a text in a few mins and keep practicing. Answering the phone usually means I gotta focus on that conversation for the next hour.

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TripMaster478@reddit

At the same time, when I'm in the middle of something - eating, cooking, tabletop gaming, playing with the kids - my phone is probably nowhere nearby. I'll get it when I get it.

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pinkbungalow@reddit

I'm busy & don't text and drive, or interrupt a live in person conversation I'm having to read a text. So "pick u up at 8" - good text. If I am not busy I give a quick thumbs up. But if you want to have a phone chat or you need a fast answer send a text saying "got a minute to chat?" Or something like that.

This may sound harsh, but I have a phone, and for my convenience. My ringer is usually off. So generally I'm reachable but please don't expect me to answer within minutes unless you've let me know it is urgent. I never do the "oh I must have missed your text" game. I love never hearing my phone ring.

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EnjoyingTheRide-0606@reddit

My bf (GenJones, 1954) doesn’t even keep his phone on him! He sees his $1500 iPhone as a phone not a small computer. learned I can’t expect a rapid response via text. He also has a language processing disorder so my messages won’t be understood when I give too much detail. The good thing is we have good face to face convos.

With my ex, texting was constant, all day, every day. Even all night! Especially in a disagreement, he would.not.stop sending hate messages. I learned to leave my phone at home and take a walk. If I took my phone and left in the car then I’d block him for an hour so I didn’t have to read all those hateful messages.

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ACorania@reddit

I hate typing on the phone. My wife used to give me crap about not really participating in text conversations, but I hate them. Yes/no is fine but for a conversation it sucks

Once I synced it up to my computer so I can use a full keyboard, I was fine.

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Mindless-Attitude956@reddit

Hated texting, due to 'fat finger syndrome' love my stylus that came with my phone. Fewer errors for autocorrect to play with...

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Feminist_Hugh_Hefner@reddit

you can pair a full size Bluetooth keyboard to your phone...

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Optimal-Ad-7074@reddit

it may be time to talk to your friends and ask if text is a medium they even like.

I have three people I interact with by way of a keyboard. one left Canada in 1992 and has hearing impediments. one lives in the US and has only ever been an "imaginary" friend. in 30 years we've never met and have talked on the phone maybe three times. I pander to her phone aversion because she's essentially an extra sister by now.

the last person is in his 90's. he's losing his hearing but he lip reads. we use text to arrange the next time and place we'll sit down together somewhere in person.

if people aren't will to invest more than their eyeballs and thumbs in a "friendship" with me, then we're not compatible. sad I suppose, but oh well.

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correct_use_of_soap@reddit

This bums me out. And no, I don't want to catch up while you're commuting and on speakerphone. Just text me, email me, something...

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finding_center@reddit

If someone calls me I assume it’s an emergency. Everyone in my social circles texts by default. I am on the younger end of Gen X though.

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denvergardener@reddit

I'm on the oldest end of GenX. Text is pretty standard in my friend group.

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finding_center@reddit

Whew good. Was hoping I wasn’t dabbling in Millennial territory :)

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Neakhanie@reddit

Older Gen X.

Some of the posts on Reddit, say AIO or AITJ, show huge paragraphs of text, and all I can think of is, “Hell no”. Do people really talk (read: whine) like that? I’ll respond from my watch - yes, no, or I’ll call you back. But I am neither typing nor reading more than 2 sentences, and it’s at my convenience.

Texts are to inform me or ask a quick question - time has changed, plans have changed, What are you wearing?, I’m at the store - what hair color did you say you bought? …quick question, quick answer.

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Migamix@reddit

Our gen opened the door, yelled JEFF, waited for WHAT, that meant meet me on the corner with your over sharpened lawn darts.

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jjwilco@reddit

You speak my language!

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Migamix@reddit

It takes a while to pull phone out that has not been wedged up my ass. My wife's phone is almost never with her at her desk, and mine gets left in other rooms until I realize it's not there to use 2fa. My rule is, send the text, then put the FN device down. If it's actually important I can push. If I'm just asking, "hey, lunch next Tuesday", it doesn't need an immediate answer. Also, people, use whole FN statements in your message, I don't need 15 separate single word comments when it's not an FN emergency. I get more than 3 messages from one person and they are not on fire, I go DND mode for the next hour. I also will C-punch someone telling me to "touch grass" like listen here fucker, we played in the streets, we ALWAYS came home with grass stains on our best clothes.

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denvergardener@reddit

Ok it's pretty hilarious to me just a few days ago, there was a whole thread of a bunch of people whining about "not having friends".

And now people here are whining about (gasp) people trying to communicate with you by text? And that's beneath you?

I text with my GenX friends DAILY. And we're all just fine with it. Including the friends who moved out of state and aren't local anymore. We feel very connected.

And then when we have time in weekends we get together in person but texting works just fine in between to stay connected.

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Muted_Contract7564@reddit

I agree with OP here, if you have time to read the text it takes 2 seconds to answer or say sry busy or whatever. I refuse to be that ‘old guy’ that doesn’t understand the new tech! My 86 year old dad texts better than most gen-x friends.

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KingPabloo@reddit

Funny, I still call my GenX friends and it’s not a problem

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Ok_Schedule5017@reddit

I prefer to text. I really don’t like talking on the phone.

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TXtogo@reddit

I don’t even like answering my phone (I rarely do), I greatly prefer text.

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Equivalent_Gap_805@reddit

That's funny, I'd rather text than talk on the phone anymore.

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littleheaterlulu@reddit

I don't even read text messages for a couple of days, if ever. I assume that if you're texting it that it's not important and/or time-sensitive and can wait (so it does).

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SamHandwich0@reddit

If you want to talk to me, then come talk to me. Otherwise leave me alone

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threesunrises@reddit

I prefer texting to phone calls, as do most of my same age friends.

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caryn1477@reddit

I definitely prefer texting to phone calls. There's only a couple people I know who leave me on read for a bit, most of the people I know respond timely.

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temerairevm@reddit

If I need to text my sister in law and don’t want to voice call I send the text to her kids. They always respond immediately.

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8spawn@reddit

Yeah, I'm a big fan of chatting on the phone.

Too much ambiguity and emotion lack for my real/closest friends.

Don't get me wrong, I still text a huge majority of the time, and I really try not to leave friends on read but it happens.

Imo, if the relationship relies on text on it's more of an acquaintance vs friend.

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SaltyBlackBroad@reddit

Then stop texting those people.

Or use the keypad and make a call.

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Fair-Wishbone-1190@reddit

If I text you something and don't hear back for 2 days (as an example) then I respond in the same time frame (2days) that it took you. That could be immediately or never depending all on you. I'm not gonna keep texting if I can't even get an "ok" reply.

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Mouse-Direct@reddit

I text back immediately. I always have my phone, and I’m chatty. 😆

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Playful-Park4095@reddit

If it's more than a few lines, and/or it's time sensitive *CALL ME*. WTF are we going back to telegrams when we have a Jetsons level video/audio real time communication ability in the same device.

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LifeguardRepulsive91@reddit

If someone texts me with an emergency, I will do my best to respond fast.

But chitchat? 2 to 4 business days.

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Top_Resolve_107@reddit

I have 2 rules myself. If its not important text and i will get back to you when i can. If something is dire then just call me. Calling forces you to answer on the spot.

Tech has done this to us, make life easier but dont bother interacting with someone. Oh and remember when friends would "just stop by" to check if you can do something. Dont you dare try to visit someone's house without a heads up nowadays LOL.

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Reach out by phone for questions or additional info.