The Texting Generation

Around six-thirty every Monday through Friday, I hear my cell phone melodically beep.  My coworker texts me every single work day to find out what I am bringing for lunch, as I am on the Weight Watchers program.  She and I began Weight Watchers together, and I am not quite sure whether it is she who needs a pep talk or me who needs a pep talk each morning.  Regardless, every morning, I am reminded to take the time to make a wholesome, nutritious lunch rather than spend money going out.

This same coworker texts me in the evening as well.  She either asks how I am doing or asks if I ate a good dinner.  I occasionally return her text message with “okay” or “I had a chicken breast for dinner.” Our conversations are done with our fingers and they are brief.

You have to know something right here, though.  I HATE texting with a passion.  When I originally purchased a cell phone it was with the intent to have a phone in the car for emergencies.  Matter of fact, I purchased a cell phone plan that limited me from talking endless minutes while driving.  Back then, my phone did not even have the texting capability.   As my phones wore out and became outdated, I would upgrade.  Just to give you an example of how I upgrade, I just recently, back in March, purchased a new cell phone (and only because my old one died)—a Motorola Razor.  Mind you, this model of phone was the hot ticket about three years ago. 

With that phone and plan, came 200 free texts per month, which, my coworker and random other friends use faithfully for me.  Over the years, I found it easier to just have a cell phone rather than a land line.  What was the point?  I am not one to have endless conversations on the phone, so I figured it was easier—and cheaper—to have just one phone.  It was convenient to invest in ONE phone–one that I could take with me.

The thought has occurred to me, however, nearly every day:  What has happened to the world?  The one thing I have to credit to cell phones is the fact that people are actually TALKING.  When E-mail emerged into the season, conversationalists hid behind the easy electronic memo.  After all, you did not have to face anyone or give away your body language and voice fluctuations over the computer.  Cell phones, however, brought a quiet world back together.