But it has now crept its way into polite society as a relatively acceptable form of modern communication, even though it can still very easily earn the contempt we've all had for that obnoxious "Hit Me Baby, One More Time" ring tone interrupting Iron Man on the big screen. So it's still on shaky social ground and, because I use it rather frequently now, I find it necessary to further solidify it's acceptance in our culture.
To that end, as with any 'grown-up' habit, our use ought be guided by rules of etiquette so as not to damage further its public image, the first of which I shall now suggest in a relatively loquacious, pompous manner per my usual modus operandi:
How many times have you had a complete conversation via texting on your mobile? Why don't you just call? Well, sometimes you should - the trick is knowing when because texting conversations can quickly become ridiculous and painfully circuitous. The advantages melt away, and your thumbs get callouses.
But how do we know when this threshold is met? When should we simply dispense with the bloody texting and have a good old-fashioned cell-phone conversation? We must first understand better the nature of texting and why we (or at least I) find it so useful (read: addictive).
The chief advantage of texting is it's ability to convey conversational information in a time-delay insensitive manner. Additionally, given the complete monopolization of the 3 cm screen by the incoming message, you're pretty much guaranteed that your recipient will get it, unless they're either blind (and I'm sure they'll come out with a brail phone soon), or 'out of service' which is phone-speak for their just not wanting to talk to you. One last advantage still worthy of note, is that we can dispense with the normal social pleasantries annoyingly required of normal conversation, like "hello," and other useless, implicit chunks of wrapper data used to soften the blow of critical information such as "Dad, what's the number for the wrecker?" It lets us get to the point and get on with what's important - something this blog doesn't really fancy doing.
So back to the point - as I say, these advantages quickly melt away after several volleys of text. So unless there's no social reason not to (like if you're texting a hottie you just met and social etiquette demands aloofness), one party should simply call the other after 4 volleys transpire in under 5 minutes.
More clearly: After four or more volleys of text within the span of 5 minutes, you are required to call that person immediately and be done with it already.
Time will be saved, the life-span of your phones buttons will be extended, and you'll be less likely to get those nasty thumb callouses...
7 comments:
...social etiquette demands aloofness...
Statements like that make me despair of the survival of our species.
However, I agree with you four texts per five minutes rule.
~autumn~
...social etiquette demands aloofness...
whereas, when I see a statement like that, I see a shiny new column.
As for texting, it's also for when you don't need a conversation, and you just want to text silly things back and forth for a while. When you're just playing, no phone call is necessary.
Bah! No text messages for me. I still refuse to pay extra for "texting". The fact that cell companies make you pay extra for this tech is ludicrous. And I refuse to use it until they change this policy, largely out of protest.
If you need me now, call me.
If you don't need me now, email me.
Don't ever 'text' me. If you do, don't hold your breath for a reply.
Done.
I agree with Heather and also add the acception of being in a loud noisy place where you can't hear the other person and trying to tell someone where you are or when you are leaving.
Meaningless flirting is sometimes fun to do via text as well.
:-) Micaela
I'm a non-texter, but just discovered your blog. Good fun!
Jen (Lyon)
Oh comeon man! It's the twenty-first century!!! Get with the times! hahaha, lol...j/k. Good points, but take it from me, texting voids out the riff-raff...how many times when you make a call do you have to go through the whole ‘proper salutations’: 'Hi! How are you? How have things been going? Glad to hear...blah blah blah....' Comeon people! Let's get to the point! hahaha So, if you are proposing a whole new type of verbal conversation - one which results in callous regard rather than callous thumbs - then I am on board! Ok, so I hope you all don’t think that I am that heartless and cold, but really – you have to admit that texting cuts the fluff. There’s a time and place for schmoozing and ‘weather talk’ as I like to call it – just not on my dime! hahahah....ok, kidding. Good points, good points, though if after 4 volleys I am still texting you, then would you get to the point already? Hahahah :)
Personally, I like frogs. Have you ever seen a frog send a text message? No - because frogs have a deeper and more nuanced sense of dignity.
That, and they're dying all over the place due to mercury and other industrial waste polluting their waters...
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