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I text!
I like to think of myself as pretty hip for a pre-baby boomer. There is no doubt some wishful thinking there but I am a blogger with a modest following and have an established web presence. I even text.
A Texting Testimonial
Not a lot. I don’t have my own code or shorthand. I laboriously enter all the letters, spaces and punctuation. So I’m not claiming to be a texting wizard but I do have a testimonial for texting. It has helped me grow closer to my older son.
Non-invasive communication
Before you get the wrong idea about him, let me say that he is over 30 and doesn’t use text as his primary or even secondary form of communication. Texting is not my way of fitting into his communication patterns. It just provides a non-invasive way of being in his life. I can send a message any time I like. He can respond when he feels like it….or not.
No fuss, No muss
We have a recovering relationship. A big rift happened when he was in high school. No point in assigning blame. He was a strong-willed kid and I didn’t know how to deal with that effectively. He moved out as soon as he could afford it and I wondered if we would ever have a relationship. At this point there is love and respect in our relationship but it still stresses him to spend too much time with us and even conversations can go wrong. Texting is great for us.
Take it or leave it
Sunday was a good example. We exchanged 5 or so messages over 30 minutes. It started with a general question, “What are you doing?” but it developed into actual discussion of an issue. A phone call would probably only have gotten “Busy right now, call you back later.” The text message, however, is innocuous. He doesn’t have to respond until and when he is ready. It is also easy to shrug off without becoming a big deal.
Random acts of love
So I am a big fan of text messaging. One of my favorite things is to send a message for no particular reason to say “I love you.” or “I’m proud of you.” Some times I get a reply. Other times not. All I know is that our relationship has become warmer and that it is easier to talk when we do get together. I think that texting has helped make this happen.
Do you use messages for building relationship?
I don’t know if anybody else uses text messages to build relationships or has a similar experience with texting but if you have, I would love to hear it.
I used to text a lot (I know, typical teen thing right?), but that was mostly to connect with my boyfriend initially. He lives in Canada, so sometimes texting was easier and cheaper than phoning him.
Fell out of love with it personally about a year ago now and switched back to using the phone more; can’t say I miss it really. Though it’s still good for keeping in touch with people that aren’t online very often.
Must say that I was surprised by this post though; Somewhere in my head I’d probably just assumed you tolerated texting but didn’t get that much out of it. Glad to be proven otherwise! Good to hear it being used for something positive Ralph. 🙂
.-= Heather´s last blog ..How to Hack Your Paperwork to Save Time =-.
I was surprised myself. It is more immediate than an email but not intrusive.
Yep, you can choose to ignore a text whereas it’s not really as much of an option if someone’s calling you. One of the things I like most about it.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..How to Hack Your Paperwork to Save Time =-.
I wish someone would send me love text that would be great.
Winnie,
Send one yourself and see if it comes back.
Hi Ralph,
That’s very impressive, this is something to be proud of. 🙂 My parents who are in their 60’s have only started to use cellphone but they don’t text, just call. Still, I consider that as a real achievement.
I love how you text to your son to bond. Ever since I’ve gotten active online, everything has been done there. I still text sometimes to my non-online friends but less, will need to catch up on that, a must.
Enjoy your post a lot. Best wishes!
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
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It gets harder to adapt when you are older, particularly if you haven’t been in the workplace where you have to use new technology. I don’t use texting for much else but it is nice to have a range of communication techniques.
I love texting. One of my best friends and I keep in touch mainly via text. When we speak on the phone or she comes round with her husband for a night in with me and mine, we talk and talk. However, we’re both busy people. I never know when a good time is to call but texting allows us to touch base at our own lesuire.
Similarly, I use msn to chat with my sister in law. We both chat via our phones and can just chat randomly as and when.
I love to make technology work for me rather than being a slave to it 😉
And Ralph, I’m impressed. Great way to carve out a relationship. It shows a lot of love 🙂
.-= Eleanor Edwards´s last blog ..Give when you think you should receive. =-.
Eleanor,
It is clear that there is more to texting than killing time in class. And that there is more than one way to communitcate.