I am an avid text messenger. I am even known in some circles as having an innate talent for sending a mass text message while still making the recipient feel that it was only sent to them. Unfortunately, for me, I now have friends who require their name on the text message if I want a response. Spoil Sports!
The primary reason I text message is that I do not enjoy chatting on the phone, except with a select group of people. My family and many friends have been victim to my ever popular phrase, "well, I love you. Have a great day!" so that I can hang up. In fact, the other day my oldest-younger brother and I were in mid-conversation and I said that very phrase. His response was, "Jill, I wasn't done talking." Ouch! He called me out on my rudeness so I cheerfully talked a few more minutes. I think my problem is that I don't know how to end a phone conversation naturally with most people – resulting in me getting stuck on the phone with someone who also doesn't know how to end the conversation. It is uncomfortable! Perhaps it stems from my years in a call center where I had to close every conversation with "Is there anything else I can assist you with? Thank you for calling [company name omitted here]. Have a great day!"
I feel badly when I hurt people's feelings by my lack of wanting to talk – truly, I do. Still, it doesn't mean I want to keep chatting. My poor mom has gotten to the point where she'll say out of the blue, "I know you are busy and need to go." Even when I don't. And when one of my sisters calls, she just refuses to hang up. "Jilly Bean, we are not done. You are not hanging up." I cannot argue with her. I try – but never successfully. She is an emotional blackmail expert – in a good way.
So, back to text messaging. Here is the issue with text messaging that causes me issue. When you don't get a response; there are only two choices:
1. Assume the text message never arrived – and send another, increasing the risk of appearing like you are a clingy stalker.
2. Assume the person doesn't want to send you a response, which will inevitably give you a complex about your self-worth, etc.
See? There is no winning when it comes to unanswered text messages. What ever happened to tracking mechanisms and the inability to click through or delete a message without responding? Wait. . . maybe those never existed. Bloody Hell!
I suppose I do have one other issue regarding text messaging that I should briefly mention. I sometimes do it when I am inebriated, which results in me sending gibberish to multiple people at one time. Even I cannot decipher what it is I was trying to say.
That being said, I would love it if you would all text message me so that I can prove a point. . . that I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darnit, people like me."
