Hot take: it’s no longer appropriate to just call someone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does everyone have phone phobia?

I’m Gen X (nearly 50) and I enjoy getting old school phone calls out of the blue.

Same. I'm lonely, and I miss hearing people's voices.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I’m in my late 40s, married with kids and work full time. Call whenever but I’m not answering your calls. My phone is silenced and it will go to voicemail.

Do you return missed calls?

Usually no. It depends what it is. If it’s any type of doctor appointment calling to confirm an appointment, no. They won’t actually cancel. If they are calling to cancel and tell me I need to reschedule then yes, I’ll call back.

If you are my elderly mother, that return call will happen on my way to work the next day. If it’s an emergency and a message is left I’ll call back sooner.

If it’s a friend or acquaintance, I’m not calling back to talk. We can catch up by text.

So you never talk to your friends?

Not with voice calls. I text people all of the time. Busy working parents don’t have time to talk on the phone. It’s only gotten worse now that my kids are teens and I’m always out somewhere. Many friends are in the same situation. Even if we get together, we coordinate by text. Friends that live far away, we catch up by text. There can be hours or days between messages. Everyone understands.

So you never talk to your friends.

As I explained, no, not on the phone. Frequently with text. I don’t know any friends in their 40s or 50s picking up the phone to chat. I don’t know why some of you are so upset by this. I’m not.

I'm certainly not upset, but people in your life who you only communicate with via text are not friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually don’t text, email, do social media or like to talk on a phone.

I have zero personal contacts in my phone other than immediate family. Wife and kids.

But I am a very social person. Except I like to meet in person.

I don’t need fake friends. Texting and social media is fake.

For instance two weeks ago met a good friend for lunch. Rare time I did text but only to say do you want to meet for lunch

I don’t see why one person can control communication method. I like to meet in person, some like to talk on phone, some like email.

My cousins have a what’s app group. I rarely participate. But I will on a holiday etc.

I rather meet people in person once ever decade than involved stupid text groups

You are within your right but if the preferred methods don’t align people just grow apart.
There are few people I want to meet in person. The rest it’s just easier to talk or text

I agree. I just don’t have any desire fake friendships. I am low maintenance. I catch up in person my good friends every 5-15 years. We always have a lot to catch up on.

[Anonymous]

I think people are so busy these days that unless something is urgent or an emergency, it is easier for both parties to simply send a message out vs. calling them on the phone.

In fact - I see phone calling (as a way to communicate) on its way out in the near future, excluding of course time-sensitive situations.

Not only are many people busier these days than before > but I think many people do not like being “bothered” w/having to be drawn into small talk w/others.

I am 54 & can remember as a young child when neighbors + friends would just stop by our house w/o calling first and they would stay and chat.
I think many people felt put out by random visits which is why nowadays that type of behavior is considered rude.

I think the same mode of thinking will drive “random” phone calling to be seen this very same way.