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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be annoyed that older people can’t just send a text rather than phoning for the slightest thing?

181 replies

Waitingforthesunnydays · 09/03/2026 07:22

I’ll try not to be ageist here but I might fail at that..so I’m sorry if this offends anyone. If you are over 60 do you feel the need to phone people for things like confirming what time you’ll be arriving that day (after already arranging that you’re coming), letting someone know what colours of paint you’ll be getting for a house renovation, asking someone if they want to go to the cinema with you next week? Those were just examples that popped into my head, but I’m finding it increasingly irritating that the 60 something man that is renovating my house will call me for the slightest thing. It seems he doesn’t know how to text at all as he responds to mine by ringing. Same with my parents, but they get a free pass cos they’re my parents. Same with a neighbour in her 60s who I’m quite friendly with. She rang me the other day, a call which I had to take at work, to say she’d taken my bin in for me, which was very nice of her obviously. But a simply text would have done fine. I’m not talking about very elderly people who don’t know how to use technology, I’m talking about people in their 60s/70s who have had iPhones for at least a decade. Is it just habit or is talking on the phone more common amongst older people? I’m early 40s & I personally hate talking on the phone and will text for everything. I find a phone call quite intrusive, I have to be in the mood to talk to someone, whereas if they would just text me they might get an answer to their question! I can send a text back in any mood but I will often ignore a phone call if I’m not in the mood.
Yes I’m sure I’m being at least a bit unreasonable but it would be nice if everyone could just learn how to text/know how to use text messaging properly. It’s really very easy

OP posts:
Passingthrough123 · 09/03/2026 07:30

My parents are 77 and 79 and both text instead of calling.

So, yes, you are being ageist.

IsItWickedNotToCare · 09/03/2026 07:30

I hate people ringing me and wish they'd just message.

Malasana · 09/03/2026 07:29

The phone call is their preferred method of
communication, text is your. Why do your preferences trump theirs?
Personally I prefer to text than call but don’t judge other people on their preference if they prefer to call me.

Chemenger · 09/03/2026 07:29

I’m over 60 and I can’t remember the last phone call I made. Everything is done by text/WhatsApp.

crazeekat · 09/03/2026 07:29

I went from talking daily on the phone to friends and family to being complete anti phoning! I still have a cousin that if I text her I get a phone call almost immediately it really riles me and I know I’m being unreasonable I just really hate chatting on phones now. A lot of people do im not saying if it’s a good or bad thing it’s just how I feel.

BigYellowBus · 09/03/2026 07:26

I'm 60 and I haven't made a social phone call for years. Even my mother gets texts