Who Uses the Phone Anymore?

We all have cell phones (oops, sorry, "smart" phones) but did you ever notice that no one ever calls anymore?

Pamela Paul of The New York Times noticed how modern day communications is now shying away from the telephone:

It’s at the point where when the phone does ring — and it’s not my mom, dad, husband or baby sitter — my first thought is: “What’s happened? What’s wrong?” My second thought is: “Isn’t it weird to just call like that? Out of the blue? With no e-mailed warning?”

I don’t think it’s just me. Sure, teenagers gave up the phone call eons ago. But I’m a long way away from my teenage years, back when the key rite of passage was getting a phone in your bedroom or (cue Molly Ringwald gasp) a line of your own.

In the last five years, full-fledged adults have seemingly given up the telephone — land line, mobile, voice mail and all. According to Nielsen Media, even on cellphones, voice spending has been trending downward, with text spending expected to surpass it within three years.

“I literally never use the phone,” Jonathan Adler, the interior designer, told me. (Alas, by phone, but it had to be.) “Sometimes I call my mother on the way to work because she’ll be happy to chitty chat. But I just can’t think of anyone else who’d want to talk to me.” Then again, he doesn’t want to be called, either. “I’ve learned not to press ‘ignore’ on my cellphone because then people know that you’re there.”

“I remember when I was growing up, the rule was, ‘Don’t call anyone after 10 p.m.,’ ” Mr. Adler said. “Now the rule is, ‘Don’t call anyone. Ever.’ ”

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While I don't hate texting, I think texting has limits. I generally text when I just want to say something short, maybe one or two exchanges long. Or, if talking on the phone would be too intrusive in the location I am currently. Other than that, I prefer a phone call.
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something else to think about - I was reading just last night that after the quake/tsunami in japan, most of the cells towers were not working and people were lined up in the streets to use the few payphones that still exist.
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Sorry, but while texting has its place, I hate it, and I can't be the only one. I have a simple phone without a keyboard and texting is a pain. I often just call people back rather than text them - I much prefer an actual conversation any day and probably always will.
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