Do people just not ring each other any more, is this normal?

I'm with you OP. I much prefer a phone call to any sort of messaging, it's much more efficient IMO.

Most people I would imagine. Most of the time anyway!

Reading all these messages, NO WONDER THE WORLD IS SO FUCKING SAD. Most of you won't even talk to your "friends" spontaneously..................

I hate talking on the phone. Rather text it’s much quicker.

Agree. My parents were born in the 40’s and they are the only people i know who still make regular phone calls. My mum does use WhatsApp as well but she’s mostly a talker.

My three adult children have all called me today for various reasons. Am so glad they like a good chat. All busy ,but quicker than texting/ WattsApping . We do the above as well but just hearing their voices is lovely especially as one is in Australia.

I arrange chats on the phone regularly if not all that frequently with several friends and family members. Sometimes I ring someone up on the off chance just for the hell of it, thinking what does it matter if they are not free to talk - they will either answer and ask me to ring back, or just not answer. This seems to be a rather bold thing to do these days.
But I love Whatsapp and email too. Like writing a letter but quicker and easier.

I never ring anyone except my Mum. But, hypocritically, on the very rare occasion a good friend rings just to chat I really like it.

I do still talk to people on the phone but by and large it's by arrangement at a pre agreed time, then we both know we'll have the time and space for a good blether.

So switch off the sound! My phone is constantly on silent.

My DH, who is pretty good at making a living, reckons that two people talking to one another are more likely to make a profit than people who don't connect to talk. We are very strongly team talk.

I’m the same. I hate having to text all the time. It just feels like another job to remember. I’m happy to arrange to speak or get together via text but you can say SO much more in less time over the phone. Texting just doesn’t cut it for me. Personally, I prefer FaceTime to calls, as well. I live quite far away from my family so I love a weekly FaceTime call!

People have been texting since the early/mid1990’s so for most of your adult life.

The only people I would answer the phone to are my children’s school or work because I know it would be a straight to the point conversation with no small talk. I despise speaking on the phone - I feel trapped if I’m on the phone to someone and pressured to speak. I think it comes from years of family members not letting me get off the phone when I was ready and keeping me there for literally hours, the amount off things I missed because my family members wouldn’t let me get off the call to them is huge. If I ended the call myself they would then continuously ring the phone until I answered again. I like the fact the phone rarely rings now!

Oh and my hone is always on silent. I hate pings and ring tones

No. None of the above. I know 'older' people used to prefer a phone call (the ones I knew anyway!) like born pre mid 1940s, but I don't have any relatives or friends who are in this age group. (All my relatives born before mid 1940s are dead.) Everyone I know prefers WhatsApp, texting, or even email. I do know some people born pre mid 1940s (in my village, and in a couple of hobby grouos,) but I speak to them in person when I see them.

It's fairly normal now. TBH, I was never one for long phone conversations, I prefer seeing people in person. I don't have long message exchanges with friends, I just use messages to arrange meeting in person. I have no massive objection to phone calls though - if I had a friend who wanted those I'd be happy to do it. In my late 40s, btw.

I prefer speaking with friends. You can cover so much more in a 10 min chat than bloody texting etc . Also I wonder how many misunderstandings people have had texting where context,tone of voice has been missed.

I don't think I have rung anyone at all for approx 25 years (barring a few business calls). I loathe the phone, and I hate the idea of disturbing anyone.
I have never Facetimed/made a video call in my entire life, and have no intention of doing so.
I'm 60.

Who still has their notifications on in 2026??

My phone doesn't ping because I mute Whatsapp notifications. I check for messages when it's convenient for me.

I'm 65. Nowadays I only phone my mother. Occasional calls at work but usually a teams call, preceded by a teams message to say, are you free for a call.

If my landline rings it's my mum, my 94 year old neighbour or confirmation of a hospital appointment. Other calls are scams.

The children, grown-up, usually message. Occasionally they call but never ever the landline. Actually, I don't even know our landline number without checking, although I remember my grandparents' number (deceased decades ago).