Can someone explain the appeal of text messages?

[luckies4me]

I'm not too fond of sending regular text messages...or recieving them for that matter, but I LOVE sending picture messages! Since none of my family live near me and cannot see/visit me and my children it's nice to have the ability to send pictures to them during the day when one of them does something too adorable you have to send and share. WOW, talk about a run on sentence lol.

[Blue_Frog]

I've read most of the thread so far, and I do a lot of what people have already posted.

I text a lot more than I talk on my cell phone. I don't like talking on the phone to a lot of people (there are a few exceptions however). This is because i did phone technical support for around 6 years -- so, 5 days a week, 8.5 hour days of nothing but talk-talk-talk to customers, call after call. It kind of threw me off wanting to talk on the phone a lot on my personal time, even now *lol*

I text message with my boyfriend throughout the day when hes at work - because he does technical support as well, i can send him quick messages and get quick messages back without inturrupting him doing his job. I also text him from moms farm on the weekends -- again, long distance costs money, but the text messages are free regardless of where I am. Makes it a lot cheaper when all i want to do is send the "thinking of you" message, and get my "kisses" in return

I also chat mostly with people through MSN - make plans, generally chat, etc. since you can maintain many conversations at once. I've even got my parents on MSN - since they like to call me at work at the most inopportune times, it gives them a chance to send me messages knowing that i'll get back to them when I can

[Alysser]

For me text messaging is just an added convience. I don't overly use texting like alot of people, and mostly talk on the phone. At times I have short conversations with text, I use it to send a short message, etc. I don't really enjoy it as it takes forever for me to type a message even with "t9 word".

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I don't text message people too often, when I do it's usually to Justin. Justin works from home but often has meetings outside of the house, if I need to get a hold of him I often text him so I don't interrupt him if he's in a meeting. I usually end up texting him "call me when you can". Also sometimes I will text Justin a list of things I need him to pick up from the store on his way home, if I tell him verbally he'll get it all wrong. It's also sometimes nice to just text him a simple "I love you".

[Twisterdog]

I like text messaging, and I'm an old fogey too, I suppose.

I started using it because I have four teenagers. It's their mode of communication of choice, so I adopted it. It never hurts to be on their level, if it is something as simple as learning to text.

However, I do find it is very nice. I like to have a record of EXACTLY what I said. "But Mom, you said to be home at midnight!" "No, I did not. I said 11:00" "Well, I THOUGHT you said midnight. It was noisy. I misunderstood" Yeahhhh, right. Now, I just show them the text. Hee hee hee. It's cut down on that nonsense considerably.

I also use it to pass the time, waiting in line, whatever. I also like that I can send a message that isn't really important, and have a friend answer it when she has time later. I don't feel like I'm interrupting or bothering her that way.

I'm certainly not a "technology addict" like Richard describes. I don't think everyone who like their cell phone, blackberry or computer is bound for a lonely, solitary life without human contact. With ANYthing ... food, alcohol, text messaging, gambling, etc. ... almost anything used in moderation is fine. Sure, there are always going to be a few people taking it FAR to excess, and a few people shunning it entirely as "evil". But for the vast majority of us, it's just another tool.

[Jessika]

To be honest..... if its so important that you have to text me, then call me. If you're worried that I might be at work or in school, then I either don't have my cell phone on me, or it's on silent. If I don't answer, leave a message.

I think texting is slightly pointless, too. The ONLY thing I may use it for is to "harass" my sister (inside joke stuff) or to send messages to HJ like "I love you" just to make him smile lol

[RICHARD]

I almost PIMP a few days ago.......

Citibank and BofA announced that you can now pay your bills with your cell phone, another way to screw you outta a few cents more?

During the newsclip they did the interview with the bank official and had a few vignettes on how easy it was to walk around and pay your bills.

The last shot was of a handsome couple, sitting in what looked like an eatery.

They were both at the same table, facing each other.....

And they both were oblivious to each other.


So.......here's the rub.

Were they....

A) paying the check?

B) Texting each other on what they were going to do next?

C) Texting thier lovers, "I'm stuck in a reataurant with the anchor, tlk 2 u ltr!"

D) Texted each other so much they are now at a relationship impasse?

E) Texting a divorce lawyer?

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POST-ITS!


Those little yellow sticky things.

I only got to see my GF on the weekends, on Sunday before I left her house, I'd write out a few, stick them all thru her apartment and see how many she could find before I came back.


I'd end up with a card or note in my case-and I'd stick it to the wall of my office.

I guess I'd have to buy a cell phone everytime I wanted to be reminded of her...

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Phone call? Local and long distance charges apply!
Test message? Free!
Face to face sitdown? PRICELESS!



That and I keep my shirts relatively dry!

[dab_20]

Most people like it because they can talk to anyone, at anytime. I may not have time to call someone just to let them know one thing, so I text instead.