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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to still use email?

150 replies

LoveliestFriendEver · 19/01/2019 10:52

I just don't get it. How is WhatsApp or messenger more convenient that email/text? Am I being a luddite?

I've never got on board with Facebook or the newer ways of managing electronic communication.

I email photos to family and use text messages. If I need an instant response I call.

OP posts:
GlasgowWorrier · 19/01/2019 10:53

Don't ask me. I still send postcards. (I have a special pannier on my pennyfarthing to take them to the postbox.)

holasoydora · 19/01/2019 10:58

I agree. I also use text and email still. People keep sending me messages via WhatsApp which I don’t get but I am refusing. I even have the messenger app so I don’t get why I need another messaging sodding app on my phones

Bumblebee39 · 19/01/2019 10:58

I always text, email or call.

Cauliflowersqueeze · 19/01/2019 11:00

Well WhatsApp is free for texting and group chats, that’s the main advantage.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 19/01/2019 11:00

Photos sent to WhatsApp are much easier to access than photos emailed to you.

I find it much more useful than email.

Babetti · 19/01/2019 11:03

WhatsApp is useful for a quick response and if orgsnising something with a group. I use email more for household admin or if contacting older family members. I rarely use sms text - originally because I'd be charged for them so I got out of the habit of it when Whatsapp came along.

CandyCreeper · 19/01/2019 11:07

I emailed someone 12 hours ago and still no reply. most people I know respond to whatsapp within an hour.

GertrudeWilloughby · 19/01/2019 11:09

@GlasgowWorrier Grin

MereDintofPandiculation · 19/01/2019 11:11

Whatsapp is internet based, and I'm new to smart phones. I have a choice a) use the phone data, which I'm not going to do on PAYG b) use whatever free wifi is around. Isn't that a bit dangerous? What do you do about virus protection on a phone?

So basically I use SMS with family (most of whom are on the same provider, so texts are free) and email for everyone else, and for longer communications to family, and catching up with friends.

Butterflycookie · 19/01/2019 11:14

Wattsapp is so much easier. You can make free calls to people just using the internet, group chats, send voice notes, send gifs, send lots of pictures. It’s especially good if you want to call someone in another country for free.

It’s harder to have a conversation on email as you can’t see your conversation all in one go. Also sending pictures via email is annoying as you have to attach it. And you can’t attach all in one go. With wattsapp you can send how many you want.

allwalkedout · 19/01/2019 11:14

The only time I find email useful is to send documents or longer more formal communication. Otherwise, WhatsApp is great for quick messages, especially to more than one person. Pictures are easier to get via WhatsApp too.
A lot of people still get charged for SMS whereas WhatsApp is free.
And this is just personal opinion, but I prefer it to messenger (which I do occasionally use).

VanGoghsDog · 19/01/2019 11:15

You are obviously not unreasonable to use whatever works for you. Other people are not unreasonable to use what works for them.

Riotingbananas · 19/01/2019 11:15

WhatsApp is so much easier - all the messages and photos are in-thread together and you can easily scroll through everything. And group conversations are so easy to follow.

Original poster
LoveliestFriendEver · 19/01/2019 11:15

My mum said its handy to know when messages have been read. I find it weird, what if I didn't feel they need to reply for some time. People would know I hadn't bothered.

I get the charge thing - although any contract I've had going back years has thousands of free SMS. I've never got closer to using the limit.

How are the photos easier too access? That's interesting. Sometimes photos seem slow to download on email. Is that different?

Is a what's app group advantageous compared to an email group?
(Although I think I'm happy being left of the school ones for DC's classes!)

OP posts:
Original poster
LoveliestFriendEver · 19/01/2019 11:16

Cross posted with last half dozen messages.

OP posts:
PattiStanger · 19/01/2019 11:18

Communicate in whatever way you prefer, personally the way I get a message has no effect on when I reply but I have noticed that some people expect a quicker reply to a text, no idea why as it's the content that you're replying to not the delivery method.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 19/01/2019 11:18

The photos are instant, no downloading or being too big to send, and you can instantly save them to your camera roll if you like.

Riotingbananas · 19/01/2019 11:18

Photos seem to get sent and arrive almost instantaneously on WhatsApp. They take a while on my phone. And the message and picture together makes everything much more spontaneous. We've been having a family chat this morning. Photos, arrangements and jokes flying backwards and forwards. I cant see how that would work in email.

Riotingbananas · 19/01/2019 11:20

Sorry that should read 'they take a while on my phone if they are sent by email'.

Azula · 19/01/2019 11:22

My mum said its handy to know when messages have been read. I find it weird, what if I didn't feel they need to reply for some time. People would know I hadn't bothered.

This function can actually be disabled for 1-on-1 chats.

Nacreous · 19/01/2019 11:23

Ultimately, data in the form of monthly rolling purchases is now so cheap that there are very few people for whom it is unaffordable, and the convenience afforded is significant. £6 a month with plusnet will get you 1.5gigs of data, unlimited minutes and unlimited texts. That will cover all your out and about needs assuming you don't watch catch up TV or make video calls except on WiFi. I would never go back to pay as you go since I discovered just how inexpensive mobile packages can be - and they don't even tie you in for more than 30days for many of them.

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 19/01/2019 11:25

I prefer WhatsApp as its instant and much easier to send and download images from.

Gazelda · 19/01/2019 11:32

Whatsapp for group convos and for photo sharing.
Text for arranging appointments.
Email for long dialogue, or for electronic communicating with DM
Facebook messenger for people I only vaguely know (usually when I'm selling stuff)
Mobile phone for chats while commuting
Landline for parents to call
Post for greeting cards, postcards

CatnissEverdene · 19/01/2019 11:33

I love WhatsApp - we have a family group with both my parents, my stepdad, my DH and I, our DDs, their DH and BFs, and it's a lovely way to stay in daily contact. My eldest DD has DC and she often sends photos through the day; we all do if we're out somewhere. It's far easier than faffing about attaching photos to emails.

The only texts I get these days are delivery updates and food shopping!

ForalltheSaints · 19/01/2019 11:35

We have had this conversation this week at work, as we had a building closure and after a review there is a desire to ensure if it is closed again no-one has a wasted journey.

Group text messages are now the agreed form of communication for such emergencies, as we have work phones and so no personal matters can be intruded on. I have similar views to the OP- if it is in need of a reply quickly I phone.