There’s plenty of fiscally responsible reasons not to text (many of which we’ve addressed here before), but there is one other reason that you should think twice before typing words into your mobile device.
People NEED to hear a voice on the other end of the conversation every once in a while.
Yes, Twitter and Facebook have expanded the realm of what a “friend” is and how you keep in touch, but there is an inherent belief/fear that we’re actually disassociating ourselves from society on a personal level by interacting without using our voices. There are several reasons to “talk rather than text”":
- Inflection. The cadence of what you’re communicating doesn’t come across in text. Neither does sarcasm (at least not without crafting your setnece really well - tough to do in text-speak). Your message could get lost in what the receiver interprets as opposed to what you intended. The result is often miscommunication or, in some cases, worse consequences can creep in.
- Time. Texting takes time. Sure, so does having an actual conversation, but mastering the art of texting is going to take some doing. We all know how to talk. Besides, the response in a person-to-person conversation using voice is often more instantaneous than texting.
- Syntax & Spelling. Your message simply comes across as more professional or polished when you say it rather than type it on a tiny keyboard/screen. Texting is a language all on its own, and it can come across as “amateurish” or “rushed” if you send it to the wrong person. Plus, when you say something no one can see that you can or can’t spell it, right?
There are other reasons to simply talk instead of texting - just as having time to think before you text can be an advantage versus instant responses. However, you can still end up with your foot in your mouth if you text the wrong thing - or what is seen to be the wrong thing by the person on the other end.
That will be as bitter a taste as the money it cost you to do it in the first place.
