Texting "how are you"

[giggirl]

There I've said it. I hate texting. It has its place of course. Like sometimes you might have an arrangement to make and it can be easier, especially if there are lots of people involved. But if you need to go back and forth and back and forth and back and forth and back and forth then........ PICK UP THE PHONE!

I just had a text that said "how are you". I deleted it. I just didn't feel the love. Is it just me?

Px

Edited to remove the word "already" for those who no likey

[Voyageur]

giggirl Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> PICK UP THE PHONE ALREADY!

I hate the americanisms that are seeping into the UK (unless of course you are american, in which case my humblest apologies :-$ )

[giggirl]

It isn't an Americanism. I think you'll find that that's Jewish humour that you're having a pop at there Voyageur.

[Voyageur]

Ah - must be the jewish american stuff I hear on tv. Apologies.

I am a great fan of the text - saves having to talk to people!

[StraferJack]

It's not that I like texts, I just loathe phone calls. If you are phoning me it had better be a life changer

I hate other people phoning other people. Just stop talking unnecessary bobbins in public people. You're one a bus are you? Whoop de do

(sorry giggirl. Love your work etc. just another take)

[giggirl]

So it's really just me then? Seriously? I'm really depressed now.

What's a bobbin anyway for goodness sake?

[Twirly]

I feel your pain giggirl. I don't mind quick texts sometimes, but agree, if you're making arrangements, just pick up the phone and save your fingers. Although I seem to prefer email to both these days. Probably because I can never remember what's been arranged, and can go back and check my emails when my poor old brain can't cope anymore...

[Otta]

I text, but totally agree that if it's more than q couple of messages back and forth, I'd rather talk on the phone.

What I really really reeeeeally hate is txt spk!!!!!!!!!!

[katie1997]

I don't mind texts as they have their place for quick exchange of info but agree its really annoying if it goes on so long that you'd BOTH have had time to pick up the phone and call anyway. BBMs are the best tho.

am with voyageur - I hate it when people say '.....ALREADY' too, sorry GG

edited because: no likey, not needy anymore, and a certain someone is now sending me 'how R u?' texts ;-)

[giggirl]

Thanks Twirly. It's more the "how are you" types that don't sit right with me. Doesn't seem like a genuine approach. Any thoughts on that at all?

[Twirly]

Agreed, it's lazy. What reply do they expect back other than "fine, how are you?". If they really wanted to know they would call (or email even, it's easier to elaborate on a proper keyboard). I think I'd just reply "fine" and leave it at that - it should get across that you're not happy, whilst not actually giving anything away.

[giggirl]

Yes I agree. I think texting "how are you" is lazy and disingenuous.

Although that's how I see things, am I wrong to see it like that? I'm not trying to have a rant about what I see as bad manners, I'm asking whether I'm wrong to see it that way. Is the world changing and I'm standing still? Am I a modern day King Canute, trying to fight off the inevitable? After all, it would be churlish to be nasty and grumpy to people who are genuine.

[PeckhamRose]

I particularly hate it when the texter is strolling across the road whilst doing it.

But I love it when you see two people together yet separately texting or talking to others on their mobiles.

[giggirl]

Sorry Katie Numbers - I couldn't help myself. I have bad fingers tonight.

OK now I changed the name of the thread because I really want to know how people feel about receiving / sending texts that just say "how are you"

[KalamityKel]

simple "hi" and "how are you" with no further hint of interest usually (if I can be bothered and usually a couple of days later) warrants* a rather lengthy response back... why waste the cost of a text on one word? ;-)

ETA: *from myself not suggesting others do the same :)

[Jeremy]

Texts are great, as are emails. Phone calls annoy me as I have to stop whatever I am doing... I can respond to texts when it's conveninent. (I never really was much of a "people person").

[StraferJack]

Ah I see the subject has changed

I see where people are coming from - an "how are you" text after a long spell can seem impersonal. On the other hand if it has been a while, there are probably good reasons and an impromptu phone call can be incovenient - a text saying "how are you" is therefore useful as a feeler for availability rather than the start of a text only conversation

[red devil]

Surely it comes down to context, let's take two 'random' stereotypical sexist examples...

If you are an overworked, underpaid nurse, working in a stressful life or death environment, it might be a genuine enquiry into your own general health and wellbeing.

However, if you inhabit the vacuous Mwah! Mwah! world of airkisses it's probably not worth the high resolution 480 x 360 pixel colour display screen it's written on...enough already

[DJKillaQueen]

I don't mind texts now that I have a BB with a querty keyboard (hated them before with all that tapping the same key and hoping you got the letter you wanted) but I do think it means people call far less than they used to. Seems that 90% of communication is now written.

[BrandNewGuy]

@Jeremy - even more annoying than phone calls are people who reply to a text by phoning you. Aaargh! I texted them because I don't want a conversation. If I'd wanted a conversation, I'd have bloody phoned them!

[Jeremy]

Amen.

[MrBen]

The question "How are you" by text is in itself deeply annoying unless it is qualified with something else. Even "How are you? Fancy a beer mould be fine. Alone it's so open and general and vague and yet quite personal. And when it's personal a beer is better.

[womanofdulwich]

I think its a stupid text question- but maybe its a bit like people who say " how are you?" and don't listen or expect an answer apart from " great".

[StraferJack]

I wish, with all of my heart, this was true on trains and buses. What we need is fewer calls and more quality

[Mick Mac]

Hi GG

How are you?