I hate cell phones, especially texting

imitating mom and dad with a calculator as her cell phone

I mentioned in passing once before that I hate texting, well actually I hate cell phones in general.  I know there are reasons to have them, I have one for many reasons. But I really hate texting.   I know everyone does it now, and I  have had to accept that, but I believe it has been to the determent of all of us that this has become popular.  So why do I hate cell phones and texting?

First, let me say I do own a cell phone.  It’s cheaper than a land line ($10 per month) and if I were to be in a situation where I needed help I can call for it now.  That doesn’t mean I want to be connected to it at all times. Surprisingly, recent statistics state that there are , check out the whole article  from View From the Bleachers for a few good laughs.  Okay I get it some people have more than one phone, a personal phone and a business phone, but if you eliminate children too young to have a phone yet, and those who don’t have cell phones, were talking about a lot of multiple phones per person to come up with that figure.

Shortly after I broke down and purchased my first cell phone I was visiting with a friend.  There were the two of us and three of her children sitting around the kitchen table.  Soon every one of the children were texting away while visiting.  I realized this was very different from what I had known up to this point in my life, and sure didn’t like it one bit.

I hate cell phones, in general, because I don’t like being connected to anyone who wants my attention where ever I am. I have one family member who will text, then every 30 seconds or so (less than a minute) will send another and another, first it’s “hello, where are you” ending with irate messages about how rude that I’m not answering.  I’ve explained that if I am driving or busy (like in the shower, please let me have a shower in peace) I will respond when I can.  Doesn’t stop her one bit.  I wish she knew how to use the internet, I’d send her to this site to learn some texting etiquette

Here is an example of someone who texts me, knowing fully well I can’t stand texting as much as she hates making a phone call:

• Friend:  Hiya
• Me: Hi, what’s up?
• Friend: uggh
• Me: getting frustrated and typed with anger building) what??? (when I use more than one question mark it means I don’t want this conversation)
• Friend: I feel horrible
• Me: (getting more frustrated) why???
• Friend: I hate the rain
• Me:  I reply nothing, I’ve had my fill of this game

20 minutes later

• Friend: My joints hurt
• Me: sorry
• Friend: It was the first day of school
• Me: I know

And on and on this will go from one subject to another without any rhyme or reason.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I do like my friend, but she has embraced the habit of being perpetually on her cell phone through texting.  While she’s sending me these messages she’s also sending several other people texts.  I will get a message that makes no sense and then one after that says “sorry, wrong person”.

Her phone never leaves her person.  I find it really annoying when she stops by then sits here texting the entire time she’s “visiting” me.  What’s worse is to have her suddenly burst out laughing then look at me and respond with “inside joke”. Go home then until  you want to actually converse with me.

Doesn’t this look like more fun than pushing keys on a phone all day?

I don’t like having to pick up my phone when I am busy to read these messages.  If I am in the middle of making a meal or worse with company (and say so) they still don’t stop, but I have to check to see if it might be from a family member who really does need something from me.

I could have had a conversation covering everything she wanted to talk about in less time than it took me to get my phone, read and reply to each and every message. Oh and did I mention the tasks I was trying to complete when I kept getting interrupted, they end up taking 3 times as long to finish?

But texting (and cell phones in general) has also led to other problems.  The main two for me are lack of manners and the interruption of enjoying another person’s company.

If you are out in public, you can see people out having dinner, at a movie, at a music event, grocery shopping, or simply taking a walk.  At least one will be checking a phone and having a conversation by way of texting rather than talking to the person they are with.  It’s just rude in my way of thinking.

And  please put the phone down while you are checking out in a store.  Stop and say hello to the person waiting on you. Thank them and wish them a good day.

I hear  complaints about how rude your servers are, I want to scream and ask them “have you ever stopped to see what they deal with all day?  Would you be in great mood after spending an 8 hour shift on your feet trying to wait on people who ignore you for someone not even there?”

Probably the strangest thing I’ve ever seen was two people in the same room texting each other rather than speak aloud.  Seriously?  I asked finally if this was some sort of secret and said it was rude to exclude the others in the room for this private conversation.  This was a husband and wife, their response was no, it was nothing they couldn’t share with everyone, but they communicated better by using texting because that way each actually had to “listen” (by reading it) and therefore couldn’t ignore the other person or what they were saying.

We can use our fingers for this too

Are we going to forget how to have an actual conversation?  Maybe it will get to the  point that we are surprised if we hear a human voice once in a while.   Am I the only one who is bothered by this behavior?  Technology can be a wonderful thing, when it doesn’t exclude actually living your life.  Okay so this is a pet peeve of mine, what’s your pet peeve?