December 3, 2007

Are you a texter? What are the rules of engagement?

It is official. I feel so Old School, or rather, just plain OLD, admitting this, but until recently, I was not a texter. It was my firm belief that you email or call if you had something to say to me. It was Mojavi who turned my way of thinking. I realized that sometimes, I just needed to send a quick message that said "what time?" or "r u on ur way?" or "yo bitch. where the hell are ya?". And then, my friend T came into town, was busy running around and then, had a family situation come up which necessitated a quick text to me saying she would not be able to see me after all. And then, I really needed a way to get a hold of Monkey. Since she is a Californicator and I am a Wheat Stater, we struggle with the time differences and what with her working behind Locked Firewalls and all, email was not always an option, either. And phone calls? Let me digress a minute.....

In the olde days of yore, those known as "free of progeny", I lived for phone chats with my best girlfriends. My favorite time was Saturday morning - I would down a pot of coffee and a half pack of cigs while chatting the morning away. While I do not miss the nicotine-laced caffeine buzz, I do miss talking on the phone. But these days, it is hard to get a minute to talk. Wait a second. Actually, I could talk the night away, if the person on the other end does not mind Constant Interruption. The other night, while talking to Monkey, I was desperately trying to keep Arun's trap shut attention diverted so that I could listen to very important details that Monkey was revealing about the bachelors behind doors #1 and #4. During the entire conversation, I would have to quickly reroute Arun to something new and I hope Monkey did not think I was trying to be witty by quoting Eric Carle since the Man Behind the Collage is probably not the go-to guy for dating advice. I hate that I have to talk to my kid while on the phone because I remember before I had kids who damned irritating that is. I am not sure what the solution because Arun goes to bed so late these days, I cannot wait for him to sleep to begin ringing up people. And sure, X is around, but toddlers have this 7th sense when it comes to their mamas being on the phone. Have you tried hiding from a toddler lately? Have fun with that! Soooo.....

Where was I?...... Oh yeah. What are the rules for beginning a textual relationship? If I want to text someone, do I need to ask permission? Do I send an email to ask permission? Or do I call them on phone? Or wait until I see them in person? Send a text, perhaps?

So yes, texting. Is new to me.

iz v. v. cool

10 comments:

Monkey McWearingChaps said...

I was going to send you another text today until I realised, "wait, is she an ATT/Cingular customer? Does she have a plan?" And then my transactional lawyery self went into worse-case-scenario mode and I started imagining X's eyeballs popping out of his head and decided to wait until I got home to email you my thought.

But I got to say that texting you is pretty damn convenient because you are always so apologetic about the background "noise" and sound really worried that I'm going to be pissed about it while I'm feeling guilty that I'm holding up Anju's lunch. :-)

-qir said...

I would say the only texting etiquette is to make sure that your recipient has text message capability AND that they have text messages included in their plan.

After that, text away! (well, not while driving. The San Francisco cabbies are all about texting while driving and it scares the beejebus out of me).

Celebrate Woo-Woo said...

I have no idea how to get a text relationship going. I've tried a couple times to text close friends, and I have gotten responses to those specific texts, but it doesn't seem anyone thinks to text me instead of calling. It's a shame because I handle texts so much better than phone calls and voicemails. The only person in my textworld is my husband, and he's the one that got me using it so much.

Dooneybug said...

Yeah, totally check with the other person before texting. I get text messages a lot from random friends but I personally don't like texting AND even though I have messaging capabilities on my phone, I get charged 15 cents for each text. And since I could care less about text messaging, I'm not adding that option to my plan. Not fun to see $1 signs added to my bill each month.

Cagey (Kelli Oliver George) said...

Monkey,
My girl? Doesn't miss a meal. EVER. No worries. As long as you do not mind her slurping or smacking her lips.

QIR,
No texting while driving? Damn. I am such a multi-tasker, that is disappointing. ha!

Celebrate Woo-Woo,
I am not sure I would want many more textual relationships right now. I would prefer to be monogamous with Mojavi, but that Monkey and her wily ways has convinced me to take on another textual partner.

Dooneybug,
That is what I thought and will keep that in mind as I venture into this further.

Anonymous said...

I. Live. For. Texting.
Seriously, I talk on the phone all day long for work, the last thing I want to do at the end of the day is chat with friends. But I never was a big phone chatter anyway. Usually I text when I need something quickly, and having to go thru the hi, how have you been, how was your day, I don't have time for. I know that seems rude, but my friends are all of the same mindset so it works.
It started with my husband, who at the time worked for big telecom co here in KS, and we got all the bells and whistles on our plan. Texting was the only way I could get ahold of him because the poor man was in meetings constantly. he couldn't talk but he could quietly text me.
THEN I started sending him random silly flirty texts to try and make him laugh out loud during those meetings. Hee. It often worked.
Turns out technology can be a good way to spice up a marriage, who'd a thunk it.

Anonymous said...

I am in love with texting. I used to think it was ridiculous but oh my have I changed my ways. Like Jenny, when I am in meetings it is easy to text with hubby and if I just need to ask a quick question it is the best.

We even got my FIL to embrace texting and he was somewhat of a monster about it for awhile but now it is nice to just send him a note every once in awhile...

stephanie said...

It was a glorious day when my mother discovered texting. She is someone that it is just impossible to get off the phone with, so it's great to be able to have a way to get in touch with her quickly with a quick question or comment without fearing having the next 45 minutes tied up. And she figured it out all by herself, so my bro and I don't even have to feel guilty about using that as a mode of communication.

Carrie said...

I hate texting. Mostly because I pay each time I get a text. Once I figured out T9, I don't mind doing it so much but for the $$.

Dee said...

I love texting as well, but definitely make sure that the person on the other end has a plan or they'll end up racking up their cell phone bill. My best friend (who lives in Oregon and has a 2-hour time difference) has started texting me instead of calling which is SO much more convenient when I'm trying to get Zach to bed or am in the middle of dinner. Also, as someone mentioned above, it is nice when you need to contact someone who really likes to talk and you don't want to tie up the next 45 minutes of your life.