Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
So all of my friends are texters. I remember my first text. It was back in 2002, and I was the recipient. My phone had some unidentifiable symbol, which I couldn't get rid of. I showed my friend, and she was like, "Duh - you have a text..." Since then, I can say that I do a lot more texting than talking.
When I was at the cell phone store in November, the salesperson told me I had sent 697 texts the last month alone. Because of this, I no longer have to charge my phone nightly. There are days when I don't even talk on it. You can make plans, send suggestive messages, and text fantastic announcements through this cell phone trend.
Let me explain the beauty of a text because some older folks ask why we don't pick up the phone and call the person. In today's "busy" world, where people are always complaining about how overbooked they are, nobody returns phone messages. If I have exciting news to tell my friend in D.C., I would prefer to not take the time out of our "hectic" little lives, and spend hours on the phone. With a simple message of "Did you hear so-and-so is preggers?" is much easier. I can do it while I am writing my blog, watching my nephew or walking the dog.
Besides being fast and easy, it is a very polite way of keeping all parties happy. If I am out of town visiting friends I rarely see, and my parents are trying to reach me, I feel the need to not take any time away from my friends. Our time is precious. A simple, "I am visiting friends. Will call you tomorrow night" is a courteous way of not ignoring my parents, and keeping my friends satisfied with our short time together.
I am blessed with parents who know how to text. I can see that more and more Gen Xers and beyond are learning the art of it. Although my generation is 100% into the world of text, a lot of people don't see the beauty in the simplicity of saving yourself from returning those dreaded calls.
I know it is very casual for many people. In real estate, I did receive counter offers via a text message, so get on board, and join in!
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
Comments
01.29.09
I include texting in my communication repertoire, but I don't think it's a big deal if others don't. People communicate in different ways. I have some friends who are e-mail people, some who are phone people, some who are Facebook people. some who are all of the above. Not that big a deal.
01.29.09
Except while driving or operating heavy machinery.
http://www.brazencareerist.com/2008/10/03/texting-might-kill-you
01.29.09
I have a question. For those of you out there who text often, are you using a regular phone keypad, or a full keyboard phone? I find it amazingly hard to text with a regular phone keypad (hit '6' 3 times for 'o' and '7' 3 times for 'r' just to spell 'or')
01.29.09
@Scott M, I switched to a full QWERTY keyboard for just that reason. Much easier.
01.29.09
I don't text that often, to my parents once in awhile and a grandmother, other then that I find them annoying, though I get several hundred a day I tend ignore most of them. I prefer emails followed if necessary by a phone call.
01.29.09
I also am a huge texter but for me I don't feel it is the most productive way to spend my free-time, though that is inevitably what seems to happen. I almost feel like it is a way of hiding myself from friends and family. Protected by this contraption that know one can hear or see me on. It is kind of freaky in a way and very unsocial. Though you can establish some tone in a text, it is nothing like the tone you can hear and almost feel from an actual voice. Think about it, could this newer bandwagon just be one more escape for people who are anti-social? Is this necessarily a positive thing to encourage people to do? Is instant gratification with an almost mind numbing effect the right path to be heading down?
01.29.09
Loved your post. As a Gen Xer, I think it's so interesting how Ys are connected constantly. I hate my cell phone and always forget to take it with me. When I was in college (pre-cell phones), we'd carry chalk with us and leave notes on the sidewalk for our friends (i.e. In front of the coffee shop we might write: "Julie: We went to the Riv.) I understand why Gen X should get with texting - and frankly more of us probably do than don't - but I'm the old fart who just doesn't want to (like my grandpa who just won't give up the rotary phone).
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
