Sunday evening, my husband and I went out to dinner with our son. We had to wait a few minutes for an available table, so I had the opportunity to do some people watching. As our youngest was asking his dad for the use of his phone (he likes to play Sudoko on it), I was looking around at all of the other people sitting, waiting - and wanted to take a photo of the family of five lined up in chairs across from us, all
with heads down, fingers flying, texting away. However, I don't have the right kind of camera on my phone and I didn't want to be obvious about it, so you must picture it in your mind.
It really shouldn't be difficult, because if you look around you, I'm sure you will see much of the same thing.
Stop! Put down your phone! What are you missing? What about having an actual, face to face conversation with the people around you? Nothing to talk about? What about the weather? It never seems to match the forecast, so it's good for at least five or ten minutes. What about your activities of the day? Plans for tomorrow -- the week? A good movie? Talk about what you would be texting and to whom.
Remember the old days when you used to pass notes to friends? Those days are over -- forever. It's all done electronically now.
Texting is an instant, quick and efficient way to communicate. It's great when a live (phone) conversation would disturb others, or when you have some time to spare. There are things to be aware of:
1. Texting is a casual method of communication, not for formal or important conversations.
2. Use simple words and sentences to make your point; the purpose is to share a quick message or very brief conversation with another person. How many texts are too many? Generally, if it's more than four, pick up the phone or go to email.
3. Over-use of acronyms can be confusing! BBQ could be "Be back quickly" or it could be what you're having for dinner. UCMU? "You crack me up". (For fun, take a look at this list of abbreviations.)
4. Be careful of what you say about others. Like emails, texts may be forwarded, read or publicly posted.
5. Be aware of time and place; texting should not be done when in meetings or while others are talking. And yes, even though you are holding your phone below table level, we can still see it.
6. Don't keep checking your phone while you are with someone else -- are you waiting for something more interesting to come along?
7. Be responsive but not rude. If you want to respond to a text and you're in a conversation with others, ask for permission; how would you feel if you were talking with someone and another person rudely interrupted?
8. Ask permission before texting. Not everyone has unlimited texting on their phone plan. Not everyone likes to text. It is not necessarily about what is most convenient for you.
You may not receive an immediate response to your text. Believe it or not, there are people who do not have their phone attached to their hand at all times; sometimes it is put down, or even - gasp - turned off! There is also the possibility that the person is busy at that moment. Don't keep texting in hopes of a response; be patient. If it's an emergency or requires an immediate answer, pick up the telephone.
