Do you prefer calling or texting and why?
By raineyes
@raineyes (554)
United States
August 24, 2009 10:15am CST
I am just curious as to which method of communication that people prefer and for what reason the prefer that method. For me, it varies on the mood, where I am and what I'm doing, and if it's a lot to say or a deep conversation or just asking what's up. It also depends on who it is.
I text more often than I call, but this is because it's easier, quicker and generally, more fitting to the situation. It's a great way to keep in touch with a lot of people without having to dedicate time to a phone call, because, for me, at least, talking on the phone basically means I can't do anything else. I can't use my hands and it's rude (and hard, not to mention) to focus on something else while on the phone.
Which do you prefer?
2 people like this
19 responses
@cloudi (330)
•
24 Aug 09
I prefer to call rather then text. I'm just not very good at texting as my thumbs just never seem to hit the right keys. I am also very slow when it comes to texts so I find it easier and faster to call someone. Also there is no way that the person I am contacting will not understand exactly what I want if I call them.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
24 Aug 09
This is also a very valid point - texting is often misunderstood, but over the phone you can convey your meaning, such as whether your teasing someone or really mad at them - with your voice and tone, which is one of the major advantages of a phone call.
@jenkinsc (4)
• United States
24 Aug 09
Well I love to text, but sometimes i talk on the phone to very important people only. I only text unless someone cant talk on the phone or busy. Also with texting, I will text someone I really don't want to talk to on the phone. Texting comes in handy because its short and simple....all you have to say is hey how you doing. But over the phone, you may be expected to say a whole lot more then just hey how you doing. Thats why I text.
1 person likes this
@emilie2300 (1882)
• United States
24 Aug 09
for me sometime I find it easy to just talk to people. Some people don't under stand when you send a text and they and up calling or texting back saying what did you mean or I don't understand.
So it really all depends on the situation and I guesse who you are talking with because we can't text everybody.
@emilie2300 (1882)
• United States
26 Aug 09
Yeah I would imagine it would depend on situation cause if you in a meeting you cant talk you can text.
Or if you at the movies and can't talk you can text.
There are alot of different scenarios
@russso (1693)
• Philippines
25 Aug 09
I prefer to call, but people these days don't really take calls because I think they have this notion that calls are used for emergency situations. With that being said, I am forced to send text messages and I try my very best to be patient with the replies. However, if it's something majorly important that it can't wait, I make sure that I call and my friends don't mind.Ü Great topic!
@russso (1693)
• Philippines
26 Aug 09
Text Messages are very informal and very impersonal. Sad to say, a lot guys here in my country court women through SMS. I find it strange that there are men who prefer to do it this way. Just like on the internet, a person can be anyone through text message because as I see it, a person has more courage because his or her face is not seen. True, face-to-face interactions are still better and are more preferred.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
25 Aug 09
Thank you very much!
I'm glad to here that people still believe in communication that isn't just instant text messages typed on what is supposedly a phone. Personally, face-to-face is best, and then probably letter writing or phone calls, but texts sometimes can't be avoided. I think texts are fine though for people who you aren't very close to, you know?
@underdogy (700)
• Thailand
25 Aug 09
Yipeee!! Here in Thailand people usually call. Having a phone call here wouldn't hurt your pocket. They have lots of promotion (they even have free call for a month! (take that) hehehe but you need to purchase a card, very cheap anyways so no problem..I am from the Philippines and according to Wikipedia we are the number one texting nation in the world. I prefer calling than texting, i had enough of that in the Philippines. Filipino's here have a joke that when they see a person texting, it might be a big possibility that it's a Filipino.
@Nikigirl613 (131)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I completely agree with you on all counts. I text way more often. It is quick and easy, you don't have to worry about getting stuck on the phone for a long period of time, you don't have to waste a lot of time if you are letting someone know you are running late... I love it.
@Nikigirl613 (131)
• United States
25 Aug 09
That seems to be the problem. With technology comes ease in life, but also a de-personalization (if that's even a word, if not it is now, lol) which is sad in some ways, aggravating in others, like with automated phone systems... But I think that sometimes the people you care most about who should get the actual call are the ones we are quickest to shoot that text to. I agree with you though...
@dianmelydia (2269)
• Indonesia
25 Aug 09
I always doing both calling and texting. Here in my country, our cellular operators offering us a competitive price for voice calls, data plans, and text messaging rates. So no matter i want to make voice calls or texting, both are very cheap. Also, after using my mobile phone calling for accumulated equivalent with 15 cents, i got free unlimited sms in whole day to registered numbers up to two numbers. And i also can get 100 free sms to any number in my country after sending 10 sms. So it's very easy for get free texting here. Have a nice day and happy mylotting.
@rosekiss (30380)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Aug 09
I really don't text, as I prefer to call. I will text if someome texts me, and then I will text them back. I find that by talking to them, I can really say what is on my mind, where texting I would probably forget what I wanted to say. Since I am a grandmother, texting is just not something I would do at least a lot anyway. As my cell is the only phone I have, it is very imprtant to keep in touch with my family and friends. I called my friend on the weekend asd we talkdef for 2 hours, or I should sa she did and I listened. 
All, in all, I would just rather call then text. Have a great day, and happy mylotting. 
All, in all, I would just rather call then text. Have a great day, and happy mylotting. @raineyes (554)
• United States
24 Aug 09
I guess your generation would play into it a bit haha! I'm glad you can keep in touch with your friends and family though, and because these are people you really care about, I think calling is a better solution anyway. It's much more personal and shows you care much more so than a text does!
You have a great day too, and happy mylotting as well.
@ranjanjec (43)
• India
25 Aug 09
Making phone calls as well as sending text massages are common. I always prefer to make calls rather than writting text. But talking to everyone frequently is not possible and also not economic.
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
25 Aug 09
It depends actually on how instant I want to get a response. If I believe that I need to know right away the answer, it is best that one calls , and I do call from time to time. Also it would depend on my budget. But most of the time, I text since it is a lot cheaper than calling.
@vannice95 (121)
• Philippines
25 Aug 09
for me, it depends, because i prefer texting more if the message i need to tell should be understood clearly. on the other hand, i prefer calling if it is an emergency and need to tell the message fast.
@raineyes (554)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Well the problem with that is that texts are often misunderstood while phone calls are not, because they other person can hear your voice, not just read the text and imagine what tone you would have used. However, I agree if it's an emergency or needs to be done quickly, calling is the way to go.
@AnemicRoyalty (20)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I prefer texting. Although there are people that I like to talk to on the phone. Many others I only want to communicate with by texting since I am not a person who likes to stay on the phone and have long chit chats. So, with texting I get the message across, fast, without the "hey, how are you..." and the other "blah blah blah" that goes even before you start talking about the reason of the phone call. Also, Most of the day I am in school and it's much easier and convenient to text someone then to leave the classroom and make a phone call.
@Bianca_mergillano (1067)
• Philippines
29 Aug 09
I prefer both because in calling, the conversation would be more clear and you could say whatever you want to say without too much effort but it is more expensive than texting. In texting, there's a lot of effort on typing but less expensive and the person that you want to talk to or say something would not be disturbed because he can check his phone while he's not busy.
@wwkeen (247)
• Malaysia
25 Aug 09
actually this quite depend on the situation, when i not in urgency, text will come in handy, otherwise if i need to contact my friend to know the immediate reply then i will just call him straight forward, not need waste of time to waiting another side for response
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
25 Aug 09
I prefer to txt because in this country, text is a lot cheaper than call. there was a time where i used to call but my ex doesn't match with me when it comes to calling. so, i would either call her or the other person calling me. if am on the phone, then am just on the phone.
@seanbryan (349)
• United Arab Emirates
25 Aug 09
Hi raineyes!
I usually communicate through texting if it's only to say hi or to ask something from friends. I rarely call, only when it's urgent that I need an immediate feedback for anything. And besides calling here in the country where we reside is a bit expensive that I need to limit my budget for prepaid card on once a month basis. Moreso, I can always communicate with friends and relatives local and back home via internet. So why spend a lot for calling using my mobile phone?
@chikon (29)
• India
25 Aug 09
well i like texting....i text a lot....approximately i can say...i text around 1000 sms in a month....well it not depends on my mood but i think it is good 2 text.....bcoz i think u can say a lot of thing spending a lttle amt of money........u can xpress ur feelings easily or ur necessity easily.....by texting.........so i prefer texting.........and while u r habituated in texting it doesnt takes too much of time to type 300 characters......hardly takes.....1min to type the whole text......so i think text is much better to communicate and i think it is flexible keeping each and every aspect in mind.........
@magickat (381)
•
25 Aug 09
I prefer texting, I'm quite shy and find it far easier to articulate myself through writing than speech.
Texting is also much cheaper, for topping up £10 a month I get 300 free texts which is plenty.
Obviously texting isn't always appropriate and sometimes a call is necessary, or nice, such as to hear your loved one's voice. but generally I will text if I can.
