cell phones & texting

My cell phone is for my own convenience. I know this is a foreign concept for most cell phone owners. Especially those with clingy spouses or significant others. Yes, there are lots of times I answer the phone if I get a call from my spouse, child, parent or friend when it may not be exactly convenient for me, but it is not a tether that I allow to be around my neck.

My children's cell phones are also for my convenience. They get to use them to keep in touch with their friends and in return, they are obligated to answer my texts and/or phone calls every time I text/call.

The cell phone is a wonderful invention and the smart phone an even more fabulous tool that I love. However...

texting might be one of the best and worst things ever invented.

I'm not one for small talk, so texting works really well for me to be able to ask a question or send a quick idea to a person that I don't necessarily have time in the moment to have a long discussion with. Additionally, it allows me to have contact with people to let them know at any particular moment that I'm thinking about them and that they are important to me. In this age of depersonalization, it allows me to have frequent touch with those that I wouldn't have been able to just a few short years ago.

But picture this:

You're having a semi-intense, serious conversation with a friend. Cell phones are put away. You would never dream of allowing someone to walk up and interrupt this conversation. But then, the familiar tone of that incoming text sounds and the person who was so studiously engaged with you is suddenly in the midst of a "conversation" with someone else via text. Probably not one, but now a back and forth that goes on for 10-15 minutes. And no, it's not an emergency. Those are few and far between. This is a great way to communicate that the person you're with is not really a priority for you. You might as well get up and walk away.

Likewise with call waiting. There are exceptions to every rule, but by and large I don't interrupt a phone call with one person by (subconsciously) saying "This other person is more important to me, so I'm going to put you on hold and see what they need. I may say I'll be right back, but really, I'll be back to you when their need is taken care of."

No apologies. Rigidly trying to value the people to me who are important and valuable.