Why calling is better than texting

1. Our communication skills are bad enough these days

Texting and other recent technology have allowed us to get away with as little verbal communication as possible, causing our face time (not that kind) to be less-than-exemplary when we actually have to open our mouths and seem capable of well, having a conversation.

2. Texting can give a false sense of interest

Sure, I could send you the most enthusiastic text you’ve ever seen, but I could also be completely full of it. And thanks to texting, you’ll never know. But why would I make the effort to call you and do the same? You’re right, I’m not going to.

3. Once is enough

You can get everything you want out in a single correspondence. No need to wait for a reply, repair autocorrect’s attempt to change ‘AMIRITE’ to ‘Ameritech’ (true story), or send/receive tidbit after tidbit of a thought or story.

4. Making a call says something about the kind of person you are

It’s sad enough that a call is what we consider an intimate conversation these days, but even now most chats (sadly) don’t happen over the phone anymore, so when someone sees you’re actually taking the time to call them, they’re flattered.

5. Sometimes emojis don’t say it all

Life is hard enough without the added pressure of deciphering an emoji sequence that you’re pretty sure reads ‘To Hell with everything.

My plan is to eat my feelings and  jump in front of a moving vehicle.’ but was actually meant as ‘Today was the worst. Want to get cupcakes? I’ll grab us a cab.’

Also I read right through your endless emoji hearts. No one has that much SMS love to give.

6. You’re less likely to make a mistake

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sent a screenshot or text to the wrong person in my message log, especially when talking to multiple people at once.

But how many times can you say you’ve called up the wrong person and had an entire conversation without realizing it?

7. You can actually hear someone’s tone

Guess what’s not fun. GUESSING. And texting is a guessing game of Is he/she mad at me? What did they mean by that punctuation? I’ve already had a full work day.

8. Text messaging is not personal, don’t kid yourself

Show me you’ve never copied and pasted a story you told to one friend into a conversation with another and then try and tell me just how personal texting really is.

Having a conversation on the phone, no matter how many people you may talk to about one situation or happening, etc. is unique every time.

9. A phone call shows that someone is dedicating time and one’s undivided attention to a conversation

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Simple as that.

10. There is a definitive end to the conversation

If you’re talking on the phone, there is a hello, there is a conversation, and there is a goodbye. When you’re texting, there is the unknown, and then there is you half-asleep waiting for a response from your friend/significant other/family member/bumble match/etc.

Being woken up by that ‘ping’ is the work of the devil and one of the worst feelings in the world, I’m calling it (no pun intended).

11. It’s a safety issue

Yes, we know it must be so exhausting holding your 7oz phone up to your ear, but you know what’s more exhausting?

Holding up a bag of ice to your eye because you’re one of the countless people who’ve dropped their cell on their face while lying down and texting. It’s a sad reality for our generation, but a reality nonetheless.

12. Texting long thoughts and conversations is exhausting (and your friends hate you for it)

No one wants to read an essay on their phone. They aren’t even reading actual interesting articles on the Internet that long, so what makes you think they’re psyched when they get your pages-long text? It’s added effort for both parties, so why not just pick up the phone and spend two minutes explaining yourself? You’d probably finish telling your story before you finished typing it, anyway.

13. Phone calls require your full attention

When you’re in a phone conversation, you have to be in that phone conversation otherwise you’re going to seem like a total jerk if the person you’re talking to asks a question after you haven’t been listening for the past 5 minutes.

Texting lets people off the hook to do as they please, answer when they want (if at all), and fein undivided attention.

14. It’s honestly just nice to hear someone’s voice

Wouldn’t you prefer to hear your friend actually laughing rather than read ‘Hahahaha’ and wonder if it’s really happening on the other end?

15. Text messages can be much too calculated

Someone can sit with your text to them for hours while crafting the perfect response. And yes, while sometimes it’s best not to come back with the first thing that springs to mind, is it even really a conversation when you’ve spent so much time thinking of what to respond? All your friend said was, I’m gonna make a Starbucks run, want to come? Anyway, how many places can you head with that?