To think you should text before you call someone

[Sparklyspoon]

This might just be me but it annoys me when someone randomly calls and doesn't text first to check if I'm free to talk. I would understand if it was something urgent but when it's just for a catch up or something non important I feel like it would be more polite to just text and asked me first

All the lols. Err no, I just call. If they don’t answer I presume they are busy.

Totally 😡 just don't pick up the phone.

Text to ask to call? Ridiculous. I hate out of the blue texts and expect an email first to check I’m available to receive a text. Once I receive the email and ok the text, they can then text to see if they can call, once I ok that, I may allow a visit.

I MUCH prefer it when someone writes to me before they text. What if I'm not available?! They should check these things..

I’m betting you are one of those who don’t answer the door unless someone has filled in the application forms first.

I MUCH prefer it when someone writes to me before they text.

But what about the postman/woman. How rude of them to walk up to your door and simply post something in your letterbox without prior invitation

Permission to call you......on a phone that's designed for talking on?

Let's be fair phones do alot of other things. But they are designed to be a phone.

What?!
If you’re not free to talk, you ignore it and the caller realises that you’re not free to talk.

Ffs!

Surely they should send an e.mail first, to check if it is OK to text and find out if you are available to take a call?

OP I always text and ask if it’s okay to call
A few of my friends do the same, but not most.

Pancake “I’m betting you are one of those who don’t answer the door unless someone has filled in the application forms first”

Yes and I no longer issue application forms, stopped about three years ago. If your name’s not on the list, you’re definitely not crossing my threshold.

Are you the poster that made some unexpected visitors sit in the drive.

And then pulled over in your car when you saw your neighbour struggling with shopping and offered to help. But then kicked off when she assumed you were giving her lift because she didnt realise you were only offering her shopping a lift. Not her?

So you went home and went round to her house and dug up a lavender plant she gave you?

I was thinking about this today and I know what the OP means.

Back in the day you phoned someone on their home phone - if they were out, they couldn't answer. If they were in, chances are they could chat.

Now I feel I'm putting someone on the spot to talk even if not convenient, or excuse themselves - 'sorry I'm shopping' or whatever. And if I'm on the receiving end someone will say 'oh well I won't keep you it's just that blah blah...'

So I might well text and say 'can we chat? Is this a good time?'

I'm not sure we 'should' do it but I can see it's a good idea.

Hi OP, unlike the other PPs I absolutely understand what you mean!

I actually dislike "chatting" on the phone, possible because my mother used to do it, and I used to feel like she was forcing me to.

Very few people do actually phone me, I seem to just know people who text or email, so that works very well! I like chatting in person, but that tends to be on pre-arranged occasions like meeting a friend for coffee. Some of us just don't like chatting on the phone!

That's crazy.

You can call screen or just not answer if its not convenient.

Sounds like you may have serious boundary issues if you need someone to check with you first. It's a social call not a work appointment.

I usually send a carrier pigeon with a note to ask if it’s OK to write a letter, and in the letter I ask if it’s OK to send a fax, and in the fax I ask if it’s ok to text, and in the text I ask if it’s OK to call.

YABU and ridiculous.

I think that's my problem, I don't really like talking on the phone so I prefer to be asked first

I like a letter before the text asking if it’s ok to call. And I demand 7 days’ notice.

I very rarely ring friends, only if it's something very urgent. Last time I rang a friend for a chat was in 1993 when I was in sixth form and liked to ring my friend on. Sunday evening to dissect the Saturday evening events

How did you live pre-mobile phones?????

You could just not take the call if you don't want to talk?

Just don't answer. If it's important then they'll text or leave a voicemail.

Sorry OP but this is strange. Just screen your calls like every one else. Don't answer if you don't want to talk. And ring back when it suits you.

My mum actually used to do this. I worked evenings so she would text me in the afternoon to ask if I was working, if not she would ring me for a chat later. I always thought it was odd, I just told her I wouldn't answer if I was working. I think she thought I'd get into trouble or something if she rang me. Or she didn't want me to ring her back at 11pm when I finished.

If you don't like taking on the phone, just don't answer, it's fine to do that. Then, if you do feel like talking you can always call the other person back.

I assumed the query was about someone physically calling at the house. Apparently not.
What on earth has the world come to when one is expected to text to see if it convenient to make a phone call.

This isn't a serious post... Right??!!