Communication Preferences

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I mostly didn't like talking on the phone earlier on in my life. Doing call center work clinched that dislike into distaste. Unless it is my partner, I do not enjoy talking on the phone. I would generally much rather text, be face to face and actually talk, or email. I do use the phone still, of course. It just is very far from my favorite thing.
 

willow78

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Texting.

I hate talking over the phone - I'm hopeless at conversation so a phone call is usually one-sided. Even a simple 'How are you?' is hard for me to answer. I'll write a text even when it would be a lot quicker to call. I only call when I absolutely have to...e.g. emergency services, making a doctor appointment, etc. I use my phone for everything except an actual phone.

I've reached a point where I won't answer a call if I don't know the number. If they don't leave a message, I assume it was just an attempted scam/telemarketing.
 
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Tight_N_Juicy

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Texting.

I hate talking over the phone - I'm hopeless at conversation so a phone call is usually one-sided. Even a simple 'How are you?' is hard for me to answer. I'll write a text even when it would be a lot quicker to call. I only call when I absolutely have to...e.g. emergency services, making a doctor appointment, etc. I use my phone for everything except an actual phone.

I've reached a point where I won't answer a call if I don't know the number. If they don't leave a message, I assume it was just an attempted scam/telemarketing.

We're phone twins.
 
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LaFemme

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Texting. Unless it’s going to be a long conversation. Then maybe the phone. I used to have to talk on the phone so much at work. I remember going on work trips and coming back to a full mailbox. It was sick. I came to hate talking on the phone.
 

g0nz0

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I don't much like calling - prefer dealing with someone face to face if its complicated. Like to see the whites of their eyes, and make sure they're telling me the truth... :D Calling always feels a little unnatural.

Have to do lots of calls for work - funnily, I prefer video conference calls to regular voice calls, even though you can't bunk off or work on something else during a video call...

If its a short message, or its to a mate, then it could be a text or IM.
 
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Catharsis

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In general, I prefer to text (or email, when it comes to work).

I will only talk on the phone if I have a purpose and it's typically for work. I'm very efficient at it because I have a clear "phone voice" and I know what to say or ask. I also do not do small talk but I stay polite and steer a conversation from "How are you?" seamlessly into the point of the call. Or if they are the one calling me, I always ask them, "Hey X, how can I help you?"

I also answer every call I receive. If I don't know the number, I would ask them who they are and what the call is regarding, and always pretend to be my own personal assistant and say, "I'm sorry but Mr. Catharsis is not interested in this product/service, have a good day."

Outside of work, all my messages - text or phone call - still have a point to it. I still don't like small talk. I'm very bad at simply telling someone, "Hey, just thinking about you and hoping you're doing well." I'm trying to work on that because that kind of message doesn't even require a response or have to go through small talk. That being said, I do call my parents and grandparents every weekend - my grandparents don't know how to text and my parents never keep their cell phone on their person.

But if it can be helped, I prefer every non-text conversation to be had in person. If it can't be helped, then of course I will talk with you on the phone. It really depends on the context but for the most part I almost always text.
 

englad

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Depends.

Generally, I text a lot but dislike it. It sometimes doesn't translate as well as the spoken word. Humour is easier on the phone. But it's good for brief exchanges.

Having said that, there are only a select few people I like to have phone calls with.

The weird middle is voice messages (a sort of voice text), if they're short they're fine but if you get a message over a minute or so, you need to listen to it several times to remember everything that was said, to help construct your reply.
 
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MisterB

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I used to almost always do voice calls as texting on my flip phone was so damn time-consuming!

But, now that Hubby struggles more each day with his hearing issues, it really is better for us to text when we can't communicate in person. Otherwise we both end up frustrated.

So 18 months ago I got myself an I-phone; we agreed it was probably cheaper than a divorce, lol. Seriously, how the heck did I live without one for so long?

And now, I've discovered I'm a texting fool; I much prefer to text. Except for those times when I want to catch up with a good friend or relative; phone calls are much more intimate for these type of conversations.
 

twoton

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Generally,
1. Text
2. Email
3. Phone

If it’s specifically work-related,
1. Email
2. Phone.

My phone subscription is paid by my work, and I use it to stay connected via email, and for people in the office, via text. However, I don’t give out my cell number for work-related matters because I don’t want ‘strangers’ (I.e., people I don’t have a non-work friendly relationship with) to think they can reach me whenever they want.

They can email my work email or they can call my office desk phone. I do not provide my cell number on my email sig or on business cards.

So I guess I’m sort of violating the rules of an office-paid cell phone by not sharing my cell number for work related matters.

The higher up people get in my line of work, the less likely they are to use text or email for communications. A phone call leaves no record, can’t be subpoenaed, can’t be forwarded, can’t be subject to Right-to-Know laws because.....a phone call......never....... happened......
 
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b.c.

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I can talk on the phone fine enough but I prefer texting for short exchanges, and email for more formal business. Talking I reserve for family and friends because it's more personal.

At times I also HAVE to talk: to repairmen and mechanics, to place a food order, to a physician's office, or the pharmacy, like when they manage to screw up a prescription order I placed online.

I don't answer calls from unknown numbers either. Nor open suspect emails.
 
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Do not call me.
Text me
I will not call you or call you back.
Hell even chat me.
 

ActionBuddy

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In the "Olden Days" of landlines, I was often on the phone for hours every evening with friends, and family, and usually was happy about it. Then came email and then practical cell phones, and then texting. Real conversations dwindled. I miss long, fun or heart felt phone calls with old friends that I have a lot in common with. I like hearing their voices.

In the last couple of years, I've noticed that my emails, especially if they are long, are often not replied to, or I only get a short, unsatisfying reply... Sometimes, a terse reply, like, "Could you just text me?"!

But, like most of you who have replied here, I also prefer texts if it is just a quick message, but phone calls if it is going to involve a longer conversation.

A/B
 
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palakaorion

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In the last couple of years, I've noticed that my emails, especially if they are long, are often not replied to, or I only get a short, unsatisfying reply... Sometimes, a terse reply, like, "Could you just text me?"!
I call this technology induced generational ADD.
 

willow78

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I enjoy hanging out with friends but I'm not very talkative, so I'm happy to just sit back and let the chat go on around me. I guess my real-life contributions are like my LPSG contributions - I sit quietly and let others do the 'heavy lifting' of the conversation, occasionally butting in with some corny joke/pun to lighten the mood.
 
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I'd have to say there's a lot of nuance lost with texting, as opposed to speech.

However, I'm a lot more adroit with text than real life interactions (thanks to a touch of autism) so there's something of a paradox there. :neutral: