Call Me, Maybe? No Wait, Just Text!

[CHARismatic110]

So unless you've been living under a rock for the past decade, you're aware that texting has gained a tremendous amount of popularity. I asked a question about dew months ago about whether people were "talkers" or "texters". The poll results are as follows:

According to the poll, 58% of people prefer to shoot someone a text as opposed to actually calling them. As with most things, there are pros and cons to both. Let's look at some of them.

Pros of Texting

•It's Quick - in the time it takes to get your phone, open up the contacts to find the number or dial it out, hit send and wait for the person to pick up, you could send a few texts. Also, some things don't always warrant a phone call. Example: letting someone you made it home safe.

•Private - you can hold a conversation without the people around you having to hear it and without you having to worry about someone being nosey.

•Emojis! - ☺😊😀😁😜😘❤ they're fun to use and can drive the point home.

Pros of Calling

•More Personal - nothing beats hearing the voice of a loved one. It's comforting and can be a lift your mood.

•Shows Boldness - this pertains to newer relationships. It's easy to send a text because it's less personal. Calling actually takes some guts. You not only do you have to have good conversation, but you have to be able to keep it up.

•Better Understanding - there's less of a chance that wires get crossed when actually talking on the phone. Less room for misinterpretation.

Cons of Texting

•Easy To Misinterpret - too many times things are said over text and they are misinterpreted. Because you don't hear them, you can't really gauge the feelings behind what was said.

•Addictive - it's very easy to become addicted to texting. The problem with this is that the more we text, the less we want to call and communicate verbally or even face to face. We become less interested in physical contact.

•Distraction - kind of ties into the addiction aspect. It can be hard to get things done when you're going back and forth through text. And the whole texting while driving thing is definitely a no-no.

Cons of Calling

•Awkwardness - this is my number one reason why I'd rather text than call. Phone calls can be extremely awkward! Especially if you struggle with keeping the conversation up. Then there's the awkward silence. Sheesh.

•Privacy Issues - you aren't always able to go to a private corner and hold a conversation. If other people are present they more than likely will hear at least some of the conversation.

•Can You Hear Me Now? - calls can drop due to bad connection and it can be really annoying. Especially when the call is important.

It's all about what you're more comfortable doing. A lot of people question which is better when entering into the dating and relationship world. My advice: start off with texting. It's a bit easier, and less awkward. The more you get to each other, the less awkward you'll be and the more comfortable you'll be with actually talking on the phone. You could also just ask what the other person prefers as well. Then just go with the flow!

As always, stay classy GaGers. See you guys on the threads! ✌ ❤ 😎

#CHARismaticOut

[AmongTheApples]

I disagree with a lot of this.

Texting is not quicker. It takes forever to get to the point. It can days to finally achieve what you could in five minutes on the phone. People that prefer texting do so because they lack the courage to make the call.

There is no privacy—none—texting, especially now that you can take screenshots on iPhones and, I assume, most other phones. One of the things that you like about texting (what you could private) is actually rude as hell.

[CHARismatic110]

Well sometimes a phone call isn't needed in my opinion. Like with the example I gave. Other times its better to call. It's ok if you disagree. Thanks for your input anyway!

[AmongTheApples]

I agree with you on a phone call not always being warranted. But that's where text should end. When you just want to say something quick, but that's not what girls, and even younger guys, do today. They hold entire conversations and try and speak all day, and then the girls wonder why the guy sucks at texting.

[CHARismatic110]

Well yeah, I'm guilty of that. I personally have always been awkward during phone calls. Because I'm more of a listener I'm usually quiet and it comes across as boring or uninterested. I've had people ask why I'm so much more talkative through text but not as much vocally before lol. I guess I just express myself better that way.

[AmongTheApples]

Well, I guess in your case and other similar cases, it's a good thing. I'd rather a girl try and speak to me through text than not at all (very few girls have ever had the courage to make a phone call anyway), but the trying and wanting to text all day thing annoys me. I'd rather just spend five to ten minutes on the phone and have the rest of the day to myself lol.

[CHARismatic110]

Lol oh so you're not into much communication in general?

[AmongTheApples]

No. It's not that. I can talk on the phone, although I prefer face to face. I've genuinely been able to talk to most of my SOs every day in person. And I do enjoy phone calls, but after awhile, I need time to myself (a break from the phone and texting) and prefer the occasional long phone call.

[CHARismatic110]

Oh ok. That's normal. We all need a moment to ourselves.

[Soshy]

I prefer texting. I only ever call if I'm at the early stages of getting to know a love interest or if I'm on my way to meet someone and need to check their whereabouts.

[johnny_hustle]

Texting is easier when you are busy and are having a casual conversation that is not in need of instant response. If I am texting someone and it becomes a serious issue I'd rather call and get it sorted out because it is so much easier, as you stated, to understand what the person is saying. It's not as good as face to face conversation since you can't read body language but at least you have a tone of voice. I think I read once where it said that texting is only 7% of communication. That's a lot of communication lost, so it's best not to sort out any problems via text or online messaging. With that said I hate talking on the phone. I don't care if the person I'm talking to is my mom... I just am not a fan of it. Talking on the phone for me is when something gets serious and needs to resolve now and we can't meet and talk face to face right away. Texting is for any casual conversation but not a deep personal discussion. If talking about a topic it's alright, but nothing too personal.

Another thing I like and hate about texting is it gives you time to figure out what it is that you want to say without any awkwardness because of the pause. In person or on the phone someone can catch you off guard and get you flustered and you end up saying something that isn't exactly true. You might say that you don't know but not because you honestly don't know if you were to sit down and think about it, but because you were practically cornered and couldn't get your thoughts straight. I also hate it because of this because the other person could take their time to respond. Sometimes catching someone off guard is how you get them to speak the truth. So, it's a double-edged sword.

[MusicMayhem]

When it comes to dating, everyone's advice is 'be a man and call!' Problem is, women are too scared to answer. I can't stand texting for hours, like you said it's distracting. If I could call, we could exchange information so much quicker. Texts are fun when short and with the occassional emoji. Still prefer calling though.

[CHARismatic110]

Well yeah, some women are hesitant to talk on the phone. I will admit to being one of them.

[MusicMayhem]

Why is that?

[AleDeEurope]

Interesting how in the poll, the percentages are exactly the same, that's OCD paradise xD

Anyways, nice Take. I'm more of a texter. I've always hated calling, even as a kid when I called my friends if they wanted to hang out, I hated that, I always got extremely nervous and acted super weird. It's less extreme nowadays, but I still get nervous when I have to call someone, I try to avoid it as much as I can.
That's why I prefer texting, plus, I can do other stuff while texting, while being at the phone is more complicated unless you have it on speaker.

[bloodmountain1990]

Am I one of the few who hates texting? Like I'll text people to do stuff but if I wanna have a conversation, I'd prefer to talk in person.

If it's someone I haven't seen in awhile or lives far away then I'll have a convo through text but the way I see it is if you text too much with a person, you might run out of shit to talk about when you meet them.

[CHARismatic110]

That's a good point, but I feel like if you and the person are close and you guys click then you'll always have something to talk about

[Nomad2]

I was just talking to my boyfriend about this and how much i struggled with txting when moved to australia where txting has been extremely popular among all groups no matter age, purpose of txting etc. With my family and close friends who are overseas I always call as both distance and time make me miss them and for the same reason make my contact over the phone more enjoyable. However, here, no matter how much I enjoy speaking and friends - it has always been txting, as a phone call equals to an emergency. Even my boyfriend asks sometimes "What happened" when I call just to hear his voice because I miss him... we are more used to calling now and it has become more of a relaxed way to speak with each other... but we still text throughout the day especially when when at work, and then call each other in the evening. Privacy is one of the factors - that is so true. Good take

[alphadoggystyle]

i prefer texting with friends when arranging meetups, short and direct to the point, and more deep and important/urgent conversations through phonecalls.

when dating girls, i much prefer talking on the phone in the beginning, because its easier to read and get to know each other, getting comfortable etc, and less mindgames and misinterpretation. But the longer it goes eventually text gets the job done cause you know the other person and how they work.

Of course real life interaction face to face is better than both text and calling.

[heywhisper]

I do not talk on the phone unless you are my mother/siblings/grandmother. That's it. Because I stutter really badly and phone conversations make it worse.

I prefer face to face convos but if I can't see you then texting works.

[CHARismatic110]

I can relate. I tend to muffle my words and I have a slight lisp so people often ask me to repeat myself and it gets annoying.

[heywhisper]

ah yes! I'm always asked to repeat myself because of my stutter. I have a speech impairment too so that does not help.

[CHARismatic110]

Yeah, I'd much rather text.

[SilenRose]

I don't hate texting but I prefer talking. Especially if you are in a relationship.

[CHARismatic110]

Yeah, it seems like most people do.

[orphan]

cell phone to cell phone calls are horrible. you realize how much of their voice is clipped for bandwidth reasons when you talk on facetime audio or somethin'.

[CHARismatic110]

I hate facetime

[orphan]

facetime AUDIO

[Dylanguest1989]

If I really really like you I'll call you. That's when you know wow he loves me lol

I don't like talking on the phone I have no privacy here

[CHARismatic110]

Lol.

[Dylanguest1989]

Yep. I'd pay for like 300$ worth of sound proving my room then I'd finally get to use my cellphone to actually talk lol

[Cusco_Othriyas]

"wow he loves me"

[admles]

I don't do texting conversations.

Texts are for quick things "hey what time tomorrow?" "can you grab some milk on the way home" "sorry, I'm gonna be 15 mins late"

If you want a conversation, call.

[thekawaiikiwi]

Both calling and texting are dumb. If you want to talk, then meet up in person and talk. I can't stand it when women want me to talk to them over the phone or text. I'm a busy man; I have to spend my valuable time posting on GaG.

[EmpatheticLady]

I'm definitely a texter usually for all the pros you pointed out. I do love phone calls from certain people, though. They definitely can brighten your day. :)

Good myTake!

[electromagnetic]

I seldom call people. I'll text until my fingers fall off but I won't ever be the first to make a phone call.

[Matt1994]

Calls are definitely better but I'm too awkward therefore I can't deal with it haha xD I end up texting. I really wish it wasn't a problem for me though

[QuestionMan]

I rarely call people anymore.
I mostly just text.

[CHARismatic110]

Same here.

[WeaponZero]

Texting makes me want to throw my phone. I'll call.

[Octavius]

I HATE texting. It actually is a very draining activity for me.

[Saudigirl]

Call me Directly, I hate chatting

[CHARismatic110]

Lol no small talk?

[Saudigirl]

i will work with ur advice, Text first then Calls, I like small texts like 1hour maxmium hhhh

[CHARismatic110]

Ahh, fair enough. Hope it works for you!

[takumii]

How about we settle in between? Voice chat?

[CHARismatic110]

Lol voice chat is talking on the phone, Kumi.

[takumii]

I meant chat using voice mails :P

[CHARismatic110]

Lol that's kind of pointless

[Conrad_Kelsiven]

Wait, I think he is on to something! A text can be thought out, so you don't sound stupid- whereas calling is on the fly. Voice mails are the perfect inbetween- you can be sure of what you are saying (prior thought) without the pressure of on-demand response.