From Barbie’s Townhouse, circa 1973.

I prefer texts versus phone calls. To me it’s just faster, more immediate and responsive. Very few of my friends answer their phones anymore, not at home and rarely a cell. SHE WILL respond to a text, however. She can’t help it. The text lights up the phone, even on silent. If she’s in a meeting or a doctor’s office, she can still reply. I say she, because mostly it is my friends I’m communicating with but the boys and hubby will answer my texts more immediately than a call too, for the same reasons.

The last few years, my carpools are arranged on a daily or weekly basis via text. It’s just more convenient. What if new information arises at 6:45 AM? Who wants to talk over breakfast and lunch prep? Texts are definitely a mom time saver.

iphone, circa 2014

I think it’s a generational thing, as the senior set prefers phone calls and may not even own a cell phone. My elderly neighbor calls me because she doesn’t own a computer or a smart phone. I trained her to call on my cell since I never pick up the home phone any more. At home I only get sales calls or doctor appointment reminders from antiquated offices.

I’m not sure why I have a collection of elderly friends, but two more have cell phones, no text feature. “I tell my grandchildren to be happy I have a cell,” one tells me over the phone when I ask her about texts. I was meeting her for dinner and said I would text when I got close. The other older friend loves American Idol and clothes, just like me. I wanted to text her during the show, “loved it” or “cute dress” and get her commentary back, like we are watching together. I do that with one of my brothers over football; he lives far away. My pop-culture older friend follows fashion and TV but not techie things.

If my cell phone rings, I am almost irritated or spooked. Sometimes it’s my husband and he really needs something so I have to answer. He might be shopping for a black jacket but can’t find one. Should he settle for blue? Or my son is wondering why I’m not right there to pick him up. I can’t read a text while driving so he calls. Then sometimes there is too much information to convey and a phone call is the best way. One friend will ask permission to talk live, more out of “is this a good time?” Somehow it has become etiquette to email or text and NEVER call unless absolutely necessary.

There are a couple of friends that will call randomly. They want to catch up or run a problem by me, like in the old days, before texts. Sometimes I’m so ready to just sit on my couch in my sweats and yak while sipping my coffee. You can’t talk out ideas or concerns over a text. Just hearing a problem out loud can lead to a solution. It’s like a light bulb goes off.

I can’t help but think the art of conversation is diminishing because texts and emails are preferred. I find myself not wanting to make a doctor’s appointment or notify a restaurant I am going to be ten minutes late for my reservation. I don’t want to talk to anyone and I’m a very social person.

Who hasn’t heard about break-ups via text? I think I could have used texts for the guys who weren’t worthy of a face-to-face. But, us eighties types had to buck up, tell the creep he’s a creep while his friend turned his back, pretending to not listen instead of leaving the room. Good riddance! We were so tough back then.

Since I started working a few hours a week in a clothing store, I feel like my confidence and motivation in conversation are in better shape. My brain responds more appreciatively and quickly, thinking on my feet so to speak. It’s automatic again, just like reaching for the phone to text.

Which is better: text or talk?