Texting – here is a generational divide that I think will be difficlt to breach.  It’s not that people of “a certain age” are not capable of texting. As my friend Donna, who wanted me to write about this says, we get it, in certain circumstances it is quicker and easier than a call. It’s the rudeness factor and the resulting expectations that many have trouble with.

It is hard not to be offended when, in the midst of a conversation, a companion whips out the cell phone and replies to a text message – or even just sends one! The same person who might be persuaded to let a call go to voice mail during dinner, will reply to a text message with the urgency of an ER doctor attending to a severed limb. And the messages are often not important – “wru” or “swu” (to people from the past, that means “where are you,” and “so what’s up.”)

I was horrified reading an exchange on Facebook where people were saying that it is rude NOT to immediately respond to a text message! Huh? Are we all now to be at each other’s beck and text 24/7?

At the office, most instant messaging systems allow you to turn on a status of “In a meeting”, or “Do Not Disturb”. Maybe cell phones need the same thing – like a setting that says “Don’t text me- I’m with Mom and unless you are bleeding she willl freak out if I reply to you now.” Or “I just need some alone time right now, and no, I am not freakishly reclusive.” How about “I have a 25 cent a minute plan and can’t afford to get your text right now.”

Sigh. In the future perhaps all communication will consist of 3 letter abbreviations and a device implanted in your head that will force you to immediately receive every transmission in every form that anyone wants to foist on you – with no off switch. Until then maybe we need to be “in a meeting” a little more often.