I Prefer Texting Over Calling

Due to the advancements in technology, communication methods are unlimited in 2020. They include calling, which can be on landline or mobile, sending SMS, chatting on chat Apps, video calls, emails, etc.

People still send physical mail but in reducing numbers and mostly on special occasions such a Christmas and Easter.

This is far advanced from the smoke signals, horns, trumpets, and drums that our ancestors used to communicate particularly over long distances and when communicating to many people at the same time.

Millennials have been said to not communicate through calling as much as the previous generations did. They prefer texting over voice calls.

Growing up calling was the number one way most millennials used the telephone. Inventions in technology as they grew up made it possible for them to use other means of communication such as SMS, chats, emails among others.

Video and voice messages are also gaining popularity in recent times among younger generations.

95% of my communication is through texting, especially on chat Apps as I am the kind of person that prefers texting to calling for several reasons listed below.

Cheaper

Texting is cheaper than calling depending on which country you’re coming from. When you use chat applications such as WhatsApp, Kik, Viber, Skype, and others especially, texting is cheaper. You just buy a suitable data bundle. One daily or monthly bundle depending on your mobile network can enable you to send messages to several people at a good price as opposed to calling where you would incur more costs.

It helps with saving on costs particularly for businesses that communicate heavily internally and externally to their clients.

It also helps save costs for individuals who like or need to communicate on the constant.

Minimises small talk

I hate small talk. I hate the useless banter that goes on at the beginning of a phone call. “hey” “hello” “how are you” “how are the kids” “how is family” and so on. It goes on and on and on… before getting to the main point of the conversation. I’m always like — get to the point already!

With texting or messaging you can quickly say a quick “hi” and go straight to the point. This saves a lot of time and energy and is not redundant or annoying.

Faster

Because of reduced instances of small talk and such things, texting is not only faster but the message is concise. It also gets delivered immediately regardless of whether the receiver of the message is ready to receive it at the moment or not.

Flexibility

Messages can be sent, received, or answered from anywhere and at whatever time provided there is a good connection.

You can message back at midnight, 1 a.m., 3 p.m… depending on how convenient it is for you to answer or to send them, unlike phone calls where certain people have rules as to when they can be called. They do not want to be interrupted when in meetings, on holiday, or when busy.

Can hide emotions

Unlike on voice where emotions such as anger or discontent can be read, texting can help mask these emotions. Even though some emotions can be read from words, they are less screaming on text than they would be on voice.

If someone annoyed you and you wouldn’t want them to know, if you are sad and your sadness is irrelevant to the person you are communicating with, texting allows you to mask this.

Easier to embellish

You can add emoji, pictures, and other embellishments to text to help convey your messages.

Entertaining

Texting is an entertaining form of communication. Because of the ability of chat Apps to send message s in such formats as music, picture, or video images, they keep you entertained as you entertain others while you communicate or keep in touch.

Distance doesn’t matter

Particularly on chat apps such a WhatsApp, Messenger, Kik, Viber, etc, you can send messages to any part of the world at the same cost. These technologies help navigate through the expensive and complicated international call connection rates.

Supports evidence

Unlike words once said they cannot be recalled word for word, text messages are available for future reference.

Is someone trying to gaslight you? Just pull out the whole thread of communication and you can put them in their place.

Did a deal go wrong? Confirm from the messages. Did you forget exactly what you were told? Again, confirm from the messages.

Helps you communicate with someone that you don’t want to communicate with

The truth is there are people we would rather just not talk to. But because we might find ourselves in situations where we might need to communicate with them, texting helps us communicate with them as it sometimes requires less emotional effort.

Texting is also the communication method commonly used to resolve conflicts in relationships because it is calmer and one can collect themselves. It allows you to talk to someone when you really don’t want to. It also leads the way to verbal communication.

Helps with nervousness, anxiety, or shyness

Because of the impersonal nature of texting, shy people find communication easier when they are texting.

It allows people to say things they would never summon the courage to say in person or particular situations.

Most people never say “I love you” in person. Particularly those from cultures where public display of affection is not the norm. Texting helps them with this.

Sexting — talking about sex explicitly in text form happens mostly because of these. A lot of the boldness that sexters display on chat Apps, they would never be able to display in person.

Helps organise thoughts

Rather than babble a bunch of nonsensical things, texting helps organise your thoughts. You can also read through your messages before pressing send to ensure that the messages hold what you intend to communicate.

You can withdraw

If you texted something, particularly something that you no longer wish to share for one reason or another, you can withdraw or delete the text before it has been read or seen. This is mostly in chat apps. On Whatsapp, you can also withdraw messages after they have been read.

Privacy

You don’t have to worry about someone eavesdropping on your conversation when texting. Your message is only received and known by the recipient as long as they do not share it with others.

Texting also helps in communicating sensitive and private information.

Do you prefer texting over calling?