Talking on the phone is mostly an inconvenience. There is less intrusive ways to communicate when something is not urgent, en can pick up the phone bird as an obligation, devote time to a conversation that did not need your attention immediately.
That’s why – some excluded Exceptions – you should try send a text before someone calls someone. Even if it seems like an indirect route to get someone’s attention, it will probably help your relationship with them over the long term.
Calling out of the blue can feel intrusive
Nothing screams, ‘I demand your time to me’ like an impromptu call. Even in this time of isolation, people are still busy, with a constant stream of digital notifications and Zoom reminders to fight their attention. A phone call implies an immediate demand for another person’s time; send an SMS just a little bit of the ball, use a polite suggestion to talk more when you come the chance.
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Although people are tied to their mobile devices, that does not mean that they are used primarily for real calls. An unexpected buzz in your pocket when you change your baby’s diapers or trying to correlate your dog for a walk only adds to the stress of everyday life. Tthe busy person you are trying to reach will probably want to send your call directly to the voicemail.
People forget to call back
This also applies to text messages, but a phone call feels much more temporary and can therefore probably escape someone’s memory. An SMS or email address, at least, it a longer service life. If ignored initially, it hangs in your mailbox as a convenient reminder of what is on your to-do list. Plus, a text is implicitly less important than a phone call – it requires the attention of the recipient, though not at the moment.
This may not be a good thing, but the convenience of personal technology has made everyone lazy. Time is essential in every aspect of life, so reading a text and typing an answer – even if it’s a little too late – sounds like a much simpler proposition compared to a call.
You want someone to actually have the time
Although your voice is filtered through a loudspeaker, a phone call can make the call easier interactions that are more considerate with the person you are calling. Having a call probably requires even more attention than talking to someone in person – there are no facial expressions or a shared visual experience to move around. From the caller’s perspective, you’re hurting yourself by buzzing someone without any notice.
If you need someone’s full attention, sending them a text is less intrusive. Especially if you have to discuss something personal or important, you can not expect someone to have the time to give up everything and focus on your needs. Although it would be nice, we can not allI’m so happy.
There are exceptions
Obviously, there are times when a call is needed due to unforeseen and extreme circumstances. For example, if you have to deliver tragic news, it can earn a call as you want to add a human touch to the conversation. (Emergencies that need to respond immediately, of course, also fall into this category).
For some people, there is an understanding of who falls into a small list of people who may call anyone time. These are the people closest to you, for whom you find it difficult to bother you. What’s more, you understand that these people will understand if you are not immediately available to talk, since you seem to already have such a strong bond.
But these people are but few, and anyway, they can just send you an SMS to schedule a conversation for later.