But anyway. It came to my attention a few weeks ago, when my husband really wanted me to call someone and I really didn't want to, that I'm really not a phone person. So, okay, I already knew this. I still haven't made a dentist appointment because I don't want to pick up the phone and call. But I can text, email, facebook, and chat in real life till the cows come home. (And who really knows when that is, anyway?)
When I mentioned this on facebook, I got a TON of sympathetic responders. Turns out I'm not the only one! Why is that? All of this pondering led to many many facebook discussions and I realized I had enough for a blog post. So, here are my thoughts:
I dislike talking on the phone BECAUSE:1) I don't have time for it. If I need to make an appointment, set up a visit, find a babysitter, or anything like that, I don't want to be on the phone chatting for fifteen minutes. I can't verify how long the call will be, but I can verify how long the text will be.
2) I can't think of anything to talk about. Unless it's my friend from college and I know we're going to talk about how different our third pregnancies were, I have no guarantee that I'll have entertaining subject matter after five minutes of cheerful chatter. How embarrassing is that?
3) My children. Need I say more? The moment I get on the phone, they start screaming. No one wants to stay on there with me for long.
4) I've been traumatized. In college I worked for a telephone marketing research company. We cold-called all hours and people were MEAN. Now, I break out in a sweat whenever I have to call someone!
5) I'm a writer. I express myself better in a text, if you know what I mean.
I haven't always been this way. When I was a teenager, I could tie up on non-cordless-phone-that-didn't-have-call-waiting for hours at a time. My dad loved me for it. (Insert sarcasm.)
What about you? Phone hater or lover? Same reasons?
11 comments:
I'm not a phone lover and I have to say this post made my day! I always thought I was some kind of weirdo for not wanting to spend time on the phone when there are so many other things I could be doing!!!
Texting is so much faster and awesomer (yeah I made that up) in my opinion.
Phone hater for all of the above reasons. Plus I don't like my phone voice, to add yet another.
Totally agree with everything.
I hate phoning to book appointments because it means I'm going to be put on hold and forced to listen to crappy music. This means I can't write or do anything else.
Okay, why is it kids only need you the second you start talking on the phone? ;)
phone lovah over here! I'm far too sarcastic and cynical to be taken seriously in a written text.
I also much prefer firing off an email to making a call. I'm not sure why I have phone phobia--it's not actually that bad to make a call. I think i just like to put things off!
not a phone person either, but then, I never have been. even in hs, I wasn't all over chatting on the phone with my friends. I think there are so many nuances in relationships that demand a face to face encounter... even the written text doesn't help me to always express what I'd really like to say and I wonder what other people really mean too. If I have to call, I will eventually get around to it, but I'm afraid I'm usually all business and no play. Making small talk or light chatter is something I am TERRIBLE at on the phone but do just fine in person. Why? I have no idea.
Meg, you're the odd one out! The rest of you seem to know EXACTLY what I mean!
Hello. I don't know how it happened, but I'm one of your friends on goodreads, so I thought I should check things out. Nice to meet you!
I'm not a hater or a lover. I never really get phone calls and I only ever call my family, so I don't really expose myself to the phone a lot. I chat online with most of my friends, so the phone is more for calling my husband at the store than anything else. :)
I'm right there with you. As a teenager I was on the phone constantly. I lost the ability to do that after graduating from college. Aside from my husband and my parents, I don't chat with anyone on the phone for that long. I'd rather see them in person or send an email.
@ Kayeleen--how funny! I love fans :::cough:: I mean, friends. :)
@Kari--that's EXACTLY how I am. I can talk to my mom forever. and I talk to hubby a lot too.
I always have too much to say, so I guess I don't mind talking in whatever media haha!! So long as someone is listening, I'm good :)
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