To Text or Not To Text?
Monday, 08. 31. 2009 – Category: Dial611
Texting is the new way to communicate. By new, of course, I mean preferred among many. It’s rare to be in a group without seeing at least one person grab their phone from their hip and begin to type away with those speedy little thumbs. They finish and put it away, but only to grab it again within minutes to view their new message and respond again.
Texting is convenient for many reasons. It’s fast, impersonal, and it can be screened just like any other form of communication. Articles have shown that teens preferred texting over email, IM, and talking on the phone. That’s obvious by the large amounts of teens that you see continuously texting throughout the day’s activities. But it’s not only teens that get a kick out of it. Many adults enjoy being able to shoot off a quick, “pick up milk”, to receive, “k”. As functional as texting is, there should be some boundaries. Just as there are certain taboos that come with other forms of communication, there are for texting, too.
When In a Meeting or Presentation
If you’ve ever given a presentation while someone is typing away on their laptop, most obviously not taking notes and more likely answering their email, then you know how annoying it is when someone is texting during your presentation. Most meetings and presentations are for two activities, education or interaction. Both require your full attention. Please be respectful; put your thumbs down and pay attention.
When Driving
This may seem like a no brainer, but it falls in line with reading the newspaper and putting on make-up. The safety of the other drivers on the road is in your hands when you decide to text while driving. You can’t have your eyes on the road if their focused on your screen. Not to mention, it must be difficult to steer if your thumbs are busy typing. I’m sure your texting buddies would understand if you didn’t respond right away because you were behind the wheel.
When Dining With Others
Texting while dining out is not as invasive to other diners as actually speaking aloud on your cell phone, but it’s just as rude to those with whom you are dining. The focus should be on your current company, but texting tells the person or people you are with that they are not as interesting as what’s going on somewhere else. Just as you would not sit and talk on the phone during your visit, you shouldn’t sit and respond to text messages either. In fact, it is even better to silence your phone all together. The continuous, annoying buzz of your vibrate option can be just as annoying. If you want to talk to all of your friends at once, it’s best just to invite them all along with you.
When at the Theater
If you’re wondering if everyone behind you is aware that you are texting during the movie or play, the answer is “Yes”! Your vibrating phone can be heard by the people in the third row behind you, and the illuminated screen can be seen across the theater. It can be extremely distracting for others, who are at the theater to actually enjoy being at the theater. They are wondering why you are there to text. It doesn’t make sense to them to pay for the entertainment if you’re not going to focus on it and enjoy it. The truth is that it is your right to enjoy your entertainment however you wish. However, don’t spoil it for everyone else. Turn your phone off. Your friends can wait until the movie is over to hear the answer to, “What r u doing?”
Katie Petre works for CornerWorld Corporation, parent company of Dial611.
Tags: cell phone, Katie Petre, manners, texting