Do you use your phone as a phone?

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    vivian chen

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    A couple of friends and I are planning on meeting for a little Galentine’s Day dinner this week. Once we decided on the restaurant, the following text exchange occurred:

    I know it’s not just me that doesn’t like talking on the phone, but I’m of a generation that grew up when that was the only use for a phone. And we’d talk for hours. In the same spot. Because cordless phones weren’t invented yet. I loved talking on the phone.

    But more and more, I’d much rather go online and fill out a form or send an email or text, than talk to a human being. This doesn’t apply only to strangers either.* I recognize that this is probably not a good move for my mental health or maintaining community, but as one of my son’s Gen Z friends once told me, “There are no awkward pauses in texting.”

    *I actually love to FaceTime with people close to me. I might even be more willing to make a dinner reservation if I could FaceTime. Is that weird?

    3 responses to “Do you use your phone as a phone?”

    1. arjeha Avatar
      arjeha

      I’m with you. I like a place that uses Open Table for reservations. Pic a date. Pick a time. it Find a table. Bingo. Reservation made. Talking to friends and family on the phone is a completely different matter.

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    2. mbhmaine Avatar
      mbhmaine

      (My first response disappeared! I’m trying again.) You posed such an interesting question! I remember loving to chat on the phone and stretching out the connecting cord as far as possible in an attempt to have some privacy. Now, I rarely enjoy chatting with anyone and save phone conversations for long drives or my commute. I don’t really like to text either. (I’m now wondering how I maintain contact with anyone! lol) On the other hand, I do prefer to call to make my reservations. Weird!

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    3. Trish Avatar
      Trish

      Believe me, I know how phone-averse people are lately, (you are planning a “Galentine” get-together tho’ so…), when I try to actually speak to them about an issue concerning an event—or work. I have a friend whose 30-ish-year-old daughter told her that people “just don’t talk on the phone anymore.” Hmmm. I will say your observation brought up some stories about high school marathon phone calls, and how etiquette around calling boys existed when I was that age. Yikes!

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