Why do some guys prefer talking face-to-face instead of texting?

[jessicorn]

I know a guy who barely replies to my texts, doesn't text me stuff first and isn't online much as well but is always trying to talk to me whenever he sees me in person... so i know that its not because he doesn't like talking to me... but just cause he isn't a texter.
he also mentioned to me once that he prefers talking to a person and meeting them instead of texting...
he also doesn't like it when i'm on my phone... he keeps asking me 'who are you texting like that?' and stuff along that line...

why is it that some guys just prefer to talk face-to-face instead of texting?
i like doing both haha.

Updates

+1 y

after thinking about it... face-to-face interaction is indeed better!

[SomeGuy37]

I don't text, and I don't have a cell phone!! I KNOW!! I'm like one of like five people in the country, right?
I prefer face to face, because I love being close to her!! So many people text, all day, and think they are so close, but being so connected, we are more distant, I think!
My girlfriend HATED, at first, that I didn't have a phone, and wouldn't text!! We talked, and ARGUED, even, a few times, but I stay true to my belief!!
It is probably different, if you have kids, and then you probably need a phone, and momentary contact, but, somehow, growing up, before cell phones, everything worked out OK?
We settled and she still has her phone, but she respects my feeling, and even said, one time, that she likes that I don't respond, immediately, and she likes waiting for an email response, knowing that it is worth the wait. . .

[jessicorn]

hmm i see

[Luvme66]

I do like talking face to face than via text becz...

1. I can see the facial expressions which actually shows the mood of the person (girl), which makes me decide if she is interested or not!

2. you can make eye conatact and that's the best part of it.

3. Finally you can make subtle physical contact while conversing.

PS: I too like doing both but... I prefer talking face to face

[Luvme66]

Thanks for mh 😊

[Suhmer]

Yeah I'm the same. Texting is a lot of effort I find, you have to actively keep conversation going... And there's the poltics of the length of time to reply... And then there's just generic texts... The worst part for me is trying to find something to keep the conversation going..

Face-to-face is more natural and there's other things you guys can do to occupy the time.. I prefer to use texting as a method to meet up

[musicbrain5]

Because talking in person is way better than texting. Texting is so impersonal. Also if you're with someone (friends, family, boyfriend), it's pretty impolite to be texting or on the phone while you're with them.

[lumos]

Because, that's just their preference. It's like asking someone why they like strawberry ice cream more than chocolate. They just do?

[jessicorn]

yeah i see haha

[abundantlyrich]

Their fingres are too big for those miniature digital keys

[jessicorn]

lmao mine are too fat too

[abundantlyrich]

they aren't passionate about texting.. but watching porn on their phones? yeah.

[jessicorn]

LMAO

[ResearcherGuy]

Most people have already nailed this one. Guys prefer face-to-face to texting because you can more easily gauge a girl's reactions and there is pretty much no room for 'games' which especially frustrate guys. This is in addition to the fact that face-to-face interaction is usually more fulfilling and how most guys would prefer to interact with a girlfriend or love interest. It's just pretty much better in every way and I'd prefer to keep texting as a means to set up meetings or casually check up on a person but nothing more.

[jessicorn]

i gotcha bro

[That-Guy]

"why is it that some guys just prefer to talk face-to-face instead of texting?"
- I cannot stand texting & dating in the "get to know you process." It's so impersonal and time consuming. I could text for 3-4 weeks or 5 minute phone call would've already taken care of that.

However you aren't the first girl to complain about guys lack of texting. Every relationship i've been in i've been yelled at for 1-2 word responses.. i have to consciously think of more words to say so she can read it.

[jessicorn]

hmm... yeah i get it.
but not texting doesn't mean automatically not interested right? i mean if you don't text your girlfriend, it just means you want to talk to her in person?

[That-Guy]

"but not texting doesn't mean automatically not interested right?"
This is true, although i think the rest of the world enjoys texting. Some guys like myself have been known to not show enough signs of interest via text.

example: I dated a girl and after a few text back and forth i called her, we spent 1.5 hours on the phone and i was interested. I said "lets do something next weekend." --- "okay!"

I think didn't text for 4 days, it wasn't that i wasn't interested.. we've made plans to hang out.. so the next contact i'll do is to invite her out.

- i got a text from a mutual friend "Hey, you need to text her."

In my mind... we've done more than enough of the "get to know you" spiel. We should hang out and see how it goes from there but i understand women like communication outside of passing of information...

Long story short: " he keeps asking me 'who are you texting like that?'"
- lets me know he's interested.. if i'm not interested.. i wouldn't care about this.

[jessicorn]

ah i see...

yeah when our crushes don't text us sth after showing signs of interest it leads to confusion... we end up thinking you don't like us or was just pretending to like us or forgot us haha.
but next time you should just tell the girl that you aren't much of a texter... so she knows she doesn't have to worry too much... or maybe give her a call just to see how she's doing.

but if we see the crush in question almost every day we know that they're ok with us cause they're talking to us...
& i see... i thought he was asking me that just to bother and tease me like usual... and i kept saying it was my girl friend but he kept saying how he wishes i was less on my phone lol so i thought 'he's teasing me' xD but in a friendly way

[That-Guy]

" he kept saying how he wishes i was less on my phone"
I can't tell you how much this bothers me, especially if it's someone i'm dating. I don't know the dynamics of the twos of yous but for me, unless we're on date 5+ i expect the phone to be silenced.

"so she knows she doesn't have to worry too much"
- I've been told this by many women around me however as we know, men communicate to pass information while women do it to "share."
-- certainly, i've worked on this.. sending text for no reason. I understand it makes the girl more comfortable, familiar and you feel we're thinking of you.
--- but it's an easy adjustment for me. I just feel weird sending "how's your day text?" what's the point?

[jessicorn]

but we aren't on a date when i'm on my phone haha. i'm in class sitting next to him... if it was a date, i wouldn't even look at my phone.

why is it pointless?

[Prof_Don]

Too many girls bullshit around on texts, not replying often, or not saying much back at all.

When talking face to face, in real time with no e-barrier, we have your full attention, and can gauge body language.

Are u uncomfortable talking face to face?

[jessicorn]

nope! i'm good with both haha

[Prof_Don]

in my opinion, for me, when i text a girl, I don't think I EVER have her full attention. In a guy's mind, when he makes times to talk to a woman, he wants to make sure his time isn't wasted.

Hell, she may be texting 4 different guys at once as well as me. I don't want 20% of her attention, I want ALL of it!

[jessicorn]

ahhh i see your point!

i was talking about this with a friend yesterday!
i was telling her how its so easy for a guy to flirt on text with other girls and us not knowing. but we can see how he acts with other girls face-to-face so we know whether we have competition or not.

[Prof_Don]

yup, we are on the exact same wavelength. :)

[Thrifty]

I was just talking about this last night to a girl who I was driving and I started playing Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience "Mirrors" and she screamed 'THIS IS MY RINGTONE TO WAKE ME UP EVERY MORNING!"

And then she said 'There are amazing things that happen when people talk face-to-face interactions rather than through a medium like a cell phone.'

I think when you are face to face, you subconsciously send telepathic brainwaves that you don't even know which isn't possible via text or through a computer.

[jessicorn]

telepathic brainwaves? xD

[Thrifty]

You know what I mean? Its like they can see into your brain and you can see into theirs but you don't even know it.

[jessicorn]

i see haha. i guess it can indeed happen!

[ccp16]

I am one of those guys that hates texting... especially what it has done to dating today.

I see it as when we are together we are together and this is us time, when we are apart we do our own thing (obviously we still keep in touch some lol)

It would really tick me off if my girlfriend were on her phone when we were together too, or expected me to be texting her all the time when I am doing my own thing. so I completely understand his side.

[jessicorn]

well... the only time i am on my phone a lot is when a close friend of mine isn't in class with me so i'm talking to her haha. but other times... i am barely on it... (i guess i should stop and try to talk to him more next time)
& i wouldn't like someone always texting me either... but if we don't see each other for like one week, i'd expect at least one text

[ccp16]

I don't really care for the reasoning unless it is figuring plans out for that night with me and your friends, or a parent needs you. Other than that, I ignore my friends when I am with you, I need the same respect in return.

And Like I said, I totally get keeping in touch and texting a handful of times a day, even when I am seeing you tomorrow. I just don't want a full blow conversation I am expected to uphold, or to respond to if I am busy, if if being busy is watching a movie or playing a video game. It is not that I am not interest in you, I am just not that interested in interacting with you in that way if that makes sense.

[jessicorn]

hmm... yeah i get your point. i guess i should try texting less next time...
yeah no i get you haha cause thats what happens to me too... thats why i prefer a guy who isn't too clingy (doesnt freak out if i take hours to text back)
but its true that i do prefer face-to-face communication more after thinking about it

[aficionado]

Most guys prefer direct, in-person interaction compared to texting. Guys aren't big on texting. It's too time-consuming, and there are chances of texts being misinterpreted.

I'm an exception though, because I like both talking and texting!

[jessicorn]

so if on text he isn't too engaging and stuff it doesn't mean that he isn't interested right? haha

& same... i like doing both! i just love talking

[aficionado]

Yes, of course! As long as he seems interested in person, you can safely assume that he is interested in you! :)

Yeah, I talk way too much, whether on texts, phone or in person. That's the reason I have been nicknamed 'motormouth'! :P

[jessicorn]

okayyy.
LMAO. i am a chatter box haha. but i don't have a nickname... its pretty normal for girls to talk a lot

[aficionado]

I know it's normal for girls to talk a lot. It's rare for guys, though. I do have a 'somewhat feminine' side to me, I guess. Apart from talking a lot, I am also quite emotional and sensitive, somewhat gentle and soft spoken. These traits are more associated with girls, I suppose! :P

[jessicorn]

yeah but i know some guys who are like that ^^.

it can be 'typical' woman traits but isn't always :)

[aficionado]

Yeah, I suppose so! I'm happy the way I am, though! :)

[jessicorn]

thats good :D
i am happy being a chatter box too lmao

[aficionado]

Good, stay happy always! Cheers! :)

[bluenose1872]

Personally I hate phone calls and texts. Hate fb and all that other shite. If I want to talk to someone I'll do it face to face always. It's the way we were brought up. Most communication is non verbal ie body language and facial expression. I learn a lot more from them than words. Besides being with somebody talking is a lot more fun

[jessicorn]

i see ^^

[AllThatSweetJazz]

Facial expressions, body language, vocal timbre, the natural inflection and emphasis that makes speech more expressive, pacing, looking at their face, being in their company, being able to touch them, hearing them laugh, being able to laugh with them, none of that "why aren't they replying bullshit."

Texting is just less fulfilling.

[jessicorn]

true!

[GoodTimes1968]

I prefer talking face-to-face, because I feel like I can articulate what I'm saying much better, and get to see the other person's body language, plus text doesn't convey tone. For any important conversations, I prefer to have them face-to-face, so I can try and judge what's happening easier, and ensure I get a proper response. I'm also a little nervous about the fact that the recipient can go and show anyone the messages and look back, and analyse them, later.

[jessicorn]

analyze the text... but girls analyze convos, gest and stuff done face-to-face too xD

[GoodTimes1968]

I realise that, but I find that less daunting, for some reason.

[AustinMan]

Texting, particularly in matters with emotional content, is fraught with problems since the nonverbal elements, which comprise about 95% of a conversation, are all missing. Sounds to me like he understands that and chooses to not take that risk.

[jessicorn]

i seeeee

[AustinMan]

How many times have you been texting with a guy and been misunderstood? Happened to me many times. I tend to have involved conversations so that may contribute to it.

[jessicorn]

it has happened to me haha... i am quite clumsy and don't really think before writing so yeah D:... but i am like that in person too lol

[Anonymous]

texting can often be inaffective cause its not face to face and people tend to say things through texts they wouldn't say in person. or just choose to ignore someone when if they were in person they would have to say something to them. but texting isn't always pointless and sometimes can open up some communication between 2 people

[jessicorn]

yeah but then texting can be a bit 'fake' if they express stuff they can't say in person...

[Opinion Owner]

well yes that's sort of what I meant , texting can lead to that sort of thing and people say stuff they didn't otherwise mean to say or wouldn't said in person

[jessicorn]

mmm i see!

[KHaskins]

Because about 90% of the meaning in human communication is lost when you're reduced to words on a screen. Speaking as someone in a long distance relationship, I'll choose video chat over texting at every opportunity.

[jessicorn]

ah... true i get what you mean

[Anonymous]

Because real relationships happen face to face. There's no substitute. Computer based relationships are shallow and inauthentic.

And most people are so glued to their devices that they can barely socialize today at all. It's pathetic.

The way I see it, if a girl won't make time for me face to face, I cut her out of my life.

[jessicorn]

oh i am like that too... i mean texting is fine for me, but only texting is a no... it also has to be face-to-face

[Moose2coolvargas]

I prefer messaging... you in particular...☺I can have time to think about what I'm going to write, and be more at ease. Thank goodness for modern technology

[jessicorn]

haha :)

[admles]

Texting is not for conversation, it's for sending short messages.

Conversation is a face-to-face medium. Too many things can be misinterpreted in a text.

Also, I can't stand when I'm spending time with a girl and she spends it on her phone.

[jessicorn]

i am on my phone only in class xD

[admles]

I wish more girls had your habits!

[jessicorn]

ahhh... my friends are like that tho...
when they're on their phone, i always try to continue conversation so they have to put it down to talk to me xD

[Transigence]

I have a shit phone and it's an act of congress to bang out 100 characters.

[jessicorn]

LOOOOOOOL

[Buntandoutspoken]

He may not be a texter but. He may like you too. Guys who aren't straight forward will give you hints with jealousy.

[jessicorn]

but its easy to not be jealous with me lol... i dont have that many guys around me in class except him

[Buntandoutspoken]

He may just feel you can have a better conversation in person. I know a lot of guys would rather talk to a woman in person.

[psychomonkey]

It's way better cause you get to see a person's reaction, the context of a conversation is clear, and talking is easier than typing.

[jessicorn]

thats quite true...

[Johnny567]

I am not a fan of texting. I feel as if you can get a better idea what the person is like face to face

[jessicorn]

true

[Johnny567]

Hmmm, indeed lol

[Skydas]

Face to face is better from many angles. You have more options. Also you can see things like body language and behaviour etc. It is more direct. You can express yourself easier.

[jessicorn]

true