NFR Rant: people suck at talking on the phone

[up2nogood]

I must be the contrarian. I don't have an instrument that allows sending or receiving text msgs nor do I want one. You want to talk to me you have to call me. If I'm on the road driving I won't pick up. I'll return calls when I'm able. Sad story in the paper a few years ago when a school teacher on a bicycle was hit and killed by a driver who was texting his girlfriend and not paying enough attention to his driving. If that wasn't bad enough the girlfriend he was texting was sitting right next to him in the car. When a recording asks me if they can text me a link the answer is no. Eventually I get to talk to human being which is the way I like it. When I'm fishing the cell phone stays in the truck. Just old fashioned I reckon.

Again a bit off topic , but still the cell phone problems . My son was parked at his local gym , had backed into the parking place with his truck. Just started his truck to leave . Here comes a young women thru the parking lot ,too fast head down on her phone . He can see she is starting to wander towards his truck , when realizing she's going to hit his truck , he actually honks ,but way too late . Yup she hits the front bumper of his truck , and just keeps on going . He had to chase her down , a lot of damage to her car ,just messed up mostly his front bumper .

Not a very unusual story , a daily occurrence with cell phone usage .

 

[Brian Miller]

Many people use earbuds for music. I appreciate that a lot! Why not use those same earbuds with a mic?

Even when I'm home by myself, I use my earbuds to do my hands-free talking. Far better audio quality.

^^^
I have also liked using buds, and now my brand spankin' new, VA supplied, fancy schmancy, BT connected, AI ambient sound analyzing to select the best noise filtering and speech (& music) enhancement *for my specific hearing loss* hearing aids for hands free music and phone calls.

 

[jasmillo]

Never will I ever.

And 9 times out of 10, I prefer texts to phone calls. I am a lot better at collecting my thoughts and remembering what I need to say with texting. I'm not at all a good vocal communicator.

As a bit of an introvert myself, I agree w/ you in most cases. Work is the exception though. Don’t email, text or start a long Teams convo with me to answer a question that can be resolved with a 30 second phone call. “Let me give you a quick call” is a top 10 IM response from me. Too busy to be simultaneously managing emails, texts, and Teams IM’s while actually getting work done.

Outside of work, I much prefer to text than chat. Maybe because I’m not that busy and am in no hurry. No kids helps having leisure time outside of work..ha.

Edit: also, besides the speaker and FaceTime stuff, please also use your inside voice when talking on the phone in public. I don’t need to hear your half of a private call from 40 yards away!

 

[Canuck from Kansas]

OK, why does anybody want to be on the phone when going to the pisser, speakerphone or otherwise? Is everyone that self-important that they have to describe their shits to whoever is on the other end. Course, this is coming from someone who only has an old flip phone, hates texting or being on the phone. Any work communication is be email, IM, or Teams on my computer - no phone for me - I hate the phone!!!!

End of my rant.

cheers

 

[goinoregon]

I was jarred awake at about 10:00 the other night by a speaker phone conversation. My neighboring house is an air B&B, which in and of itself is kind of annoying. I am not sure which was worse: the speaker phone (and the associated increase in volume of voices on both ends of the conversation), or the overly healthy peppering of the words "dude" and "bro" throughout.
From another old man yelling at clouds I guess...

you need to make sure the blinds are open, and walk around naked. just u, not your wife or ladyfriend.

 

[Salmo_g]

Not a speaker phone fan either. Use that function when necessary and it isn't going to disturb others. If I have to overhear your phone conversation, you're fvckin' weird. I've gotten used to texting, but they need to be brief, or I just call the other person if it's going to be more than one simple sentence. I remain a fan of email communication - it has all the substance of old snail mail communication w/o the postage stamp.

 

[Tim L]

The constant email ping pong barrage is one of the things I miss the least now that I've retired.

I'll add...since retiring I really miss going to an office to bounce emails around.

 

[Ron McNeal]

Never will I ever.

And 9 times out of 10, I prefer texts to phone calls. I am a lot better at collecting my thoughts and remembering what I need to say with texting. I'm not at all a good vocal communicator.

FWIW, I met, and spoke with you, just one time at FFI's Albany EXPO. I came away thinking this Forum was in very good hands - AND that you were a very accomplished vocal communicator.

 

[Evan B]

FWIW, I met, and spoke with you, just one time at FFI's Albany EXPO. I came away thinking this Forum was in very good hands - AND that you were a very accomplished vocal communicator.

You're too kind. That said, I do better in person than on the phone.