2. Research shows that a full 2/3 of adults aged 30-49 text message. Among the teen and college set, this number is even higher. I get the whole “wired” thing and am an avid texter myself. However, despite the abundant rules of etiquette out there many still use texting to send messages that are best left to other devices. For me, the inappropriateness of texting, poking, winking, etc. is less about etiquette and more about efficiency (and economics). In this day and age of “doing more with less,” increasing work/school demands, and just plain less free time it’s shocking how many precious minutes (and dollars) are wasted making conversation over SMS.

    Since this is a relationship-oriented blog, I’ll use a recent dating example to make my case. A friend of mine recently met a guy at a bar. They’ve been on two “dates”, but nothing more serious than meeting for a drink at a bar. As in most early-stage relationships, she and this guy are feeling each other out with neither showing their hands.

    Today, it started…. the flurry of text messages about what, when, and where to meet next. I kid you not, after no fewer than 40 texts exchanged there was still no decision. It was at this point that I pleaded for an email or phone call to end the madness. No dice… the texting went on.

    Ok, you’re probably thinking “big eff-in deal”. She’s probably got one of those super-sized SMS plans so no harm, no foul. But think about the sheer amount of time wasted! By my conservative estimate, it took her and this guy about 20 seconds each per text when you consider both the time devoted to coming up with something to say and then typing it. Since they’re newly dating, they probably spent even more time trying to come up with something clever to say or at least something unregrettable.

    So, here comes the math:

    40 texts x 20 secs = 800 seconds which is just north of 13 minutes.

    Couldn’t that same discussion have been had in half the time if someone had the novel idea to pick up the phone? It doesn’t sound like much but I know I could use another 6 or 7 minutes - that’s a trip to Starbucks, a Facebook check-in, or a power nap.