I was reading the OFCOM report that came out earlier this week, and I was intrigued, naturally, with the segment on the mobiles.
According to the figures we send around over forty more text messages than the French or Germans do; and I want to know why?
OFCOM believe it’s something to do with the availability of mobile communications that we all have now, but so does France and Germany. And it’s also not that the UK are more technologically advanced than our European counterparts. So what makes us text more?
I’ve been racking my brains out, and I can’t come to a conclusion. I just over two months I’ve sent just over a hundred texts, many of which were to Twitter. But as for general communication? I barely use SMS to converse with anyone other than my Mum, or to find out if I have the time for social gathering correct.
Then again, not everyone is like me. For example, a friend of my mine just told me she gets five hundred texts a month, uses them all up, and ends up paying 12p per text there-after. In all, she reckons somewhere near eight-hundred texts.
Then, my Mum, she sends around hundred a month.
So why is it we text more? Do we have anything more interesting or important in our lives that requires us to text more? Or are we more lazy with our voices? Do we prefer the mask of the written word to cover our feelings to the people we are communicating with?
I think it maybe partially due to the feelings; for example, on a number of occasions I’ve decided to text someone I’m not in the mood to speak with, even though I much prefer voice conversation. That way, I can mask any disdain and bitterness I feel at the moment, or if I want, sound more blunt and to the point.
I want to know what you think?
Send any questions or e-mails into my address at samantha@smstextnews.com
I'm one of those guys that keep these averages nice and high. Here's a sample of my usage from old bills:
Jan – 1765
Feb – 2220
Mar – 1837
Apr – 1627
Texting was temporarily a replacement for IM. My usage has dropped down to about 800 per month now. Luckily it's all covered by an unlimited text plan.
That's quite a lot!
It's due to the national obsession with respect for personal space. Phone calls are intrusive. With a text you're saying “I'd like to communicate but if you're too busy I understand”, with a call you're saying “pay me attention…now”.
I think Matt has got a really interesting point which I totally agree with…
Are we suffering as a result and losing a vital part of our communication skills?
I workin an operator, specifically on messaging..
and its clear that the WEATHER has alot to do with it… basically with all the crap weather we get, people aren't out and about as much : or in general need more communication to organise themselves. as we all struggle with the rain and lack of sun, we turn to our phones for comfort.
Interestingly from daily volumes, the one day it was nice and sunny last month across the majority of the country we saw a massive decline in usage. :o)
just my 2 pence worth (oh and yea.. snow = mega bucks for the telco's!)
Wow!
That's loads!
How do you find the time to text that much?
Samantha.
That makes sense. We're all turning into extroverts really.
Thanks,
Samantha.
I think we are.
A lot of spoken conversations I have with people, sound very much like an MSN conversation, with the Hi, how are you?, what have you been upto?
The order has set itself in, and we can't really talk without initiating the questions. It's really odd.
Samantha.
Throughout the day they just add up. I had a weekly system of wiping all texts off my phone, to stop it from slowing down when I opened my inbox. My new phone does threading, so that makes conversations easier to manage.
Maybe 200+ each month were me playing around with making software for my phone too, but mostly the usual real texts.
I send between 2000 and 3000 a month, I very rarely make phone calls, I use sms to keep in contact with people etc as well as forwarding on jokes I recieve, which when a joke can be a few messages and I send it on to a few people, that can soon add up!
I send between 2000 and 3000 a month, I very rarely make phone calls, I use sms to keep in contact with people etc as well as forwarding on jokes I recieve, which when a joke can be a few messages and I send it on to a few people, that can soon add up!
on a daily basis i send upto 60 messages. (thats including MMS) some days it can be upto 100. Times that by 31 days = 1860. I get 500 Messages Plus free Unlimited (2000). It's easier to text. If U think of somethin u wanna tell someone. just send a message.
I must agree with Matt, when he says, With a text one is wanting to communicate. With Voice( ooh and video) calls, pay me attention. But of course I get through most of my 600 minutes because some things u just cant put in a message. Like when u need a good rant
Could it be that the English language lends itself better to texting? Perhaps French and German don't work so well in txt spk. How do we compare to other English speaking nations like the US and Australia?
I would say cost is the major factor why Brits send more texts than make calls. With expensive tarrifs, hidden costs, raising inflation, expensive fuel, cost of living going up more times a year than peoples salaries to match, sending texts is one way to save money.
Hi James,
Wow, thanks for that. I know our terrible weather has a lot of influence on us, but I never knew it influenced texting!
Thanks,
Samantha.
Interesting point!
I'll try and look that up.
Thanks,
Samantha.
That is definitely a reason with yonger people like myself. Calling anyone is normally a last resort if they fail to text back!
Samantha.
2000 and 3000 a month?
Wow.
I barely find the time to send around fifty texts a month – and most of them are to Twitter.
If you don't mind me asking, how much does that cost you normally?
Samantha.
Texting and ranting definitely do not go. I've tried it, and failed. Plus, there is nothing worse than reading a messag, which is really long (like my ones during a rant), and they take forever to update!
Nightmare.
Samantha.
I'm on an unlimited text tarriff for
As well as all the other answers here, is it also a thing of culture? Without wishing to over-generalise the pace of life on the continent is often slower than here in the UK and so they have more time to talk, whilst fast-pace Brits can only cram in a text?
As well as all the other answers here, is it also a thing of culture? Without wishing to over-generalise the pace of life on the continent is often slower than here in the UK and so they have more time to talk, whilst fast-pace Brits can only cram in a text?
As well as all the other answers here, is it also a thing of culture? Without wishing to over-generalise the pace of life on the continent is often slower than here in the UK and so they have more time to talk, whilst fast-pace Brits can only cram in a text?