“What u up to? X”
“Just scrolling through your messages. I can’t help but notice that every one of the ends with the letter X. Why is that? In the old days I might have considered it friendly or even slightly flirtatious, but on my new phone the text conversations show up in a thread so I can see every one you have sent in the last four months. Almost without exception they contain no useful information whatsoever plus the letter X.”
“Just staying in touch! X”
“Of course texting is an excellent way of staying in touch – touching base as my mum would say. But while reassuring me that you are still alive stops me worrying that you might have been hit by a bus, can’t you think of something to say at the same time?”
“Like what? X”
“Like something funny or frustrating that has happened. For example did you have a shit day and you want to talk about it? Have you noticed that we haven’t met up for a drink for months and you want to make amends? Have you just enjoyed a particular scene of The Wire and want to share the moment?”
“Loving the wire! X”
“I know I engage in pointless text conversations as much as the next person, I am not making any moral stance on them. It’s just that I am beginning to realise what a waste of effort they are. It is difficult to discuss anything over text because of the shortness of the message space. Better to email or *heaven forbid* actually phone. Or just use them to arrange to meet.”
“Yeah! X”
“Because I now have the scrolly thread text display system, I can look back at the banality of our interaction. We have exchanged 64 messages in the last couple of months. Why didn’t we just meet for half an hour?”
“When u free? X”
“Tuesday after work?”
“Busy X”
Oh yes, this annoys me. And even Stephen Fry does it (on Twitter).
Also, I do tend to call people unless there’s some reason I should be texting. It’s cheaper, apart from anything else.
Meh. Each to their own.
I like texting, but not this kind of texting.
Witty post – Nice one X
Lol X
haha – I thought it was just me that didn’t ‘get’ this sort of banal texting. When I got a couple from the same person within a week I phoned them and asked if anything was the matter – then suggested they came round for supper and we could have a nice quiet chat. The texts stopped after that, so I thought I’d got it wrong but wasn’t sure.
Mr R – I never know what people want when they initiate this kind of “conversation”. When I want something from a text I put it down in black and white. My texts consist of messages like “Beer?” or “Are you alive?” or “You owe me a tenner”. I can’t do the whole skirting round pointlessly. I’m afraid that means that some texts just never get replied to which probably makes me rude.
I can’t stand it.
I really can’t.
x
I thought it was meant to be a kiss. Though none of the people who give me an x would ever kiss me. Sometimes I regret that, more often I’m glad
BE, I also have an iPhone (if that is what you are referring to), and I’ve been having a very similar thought process recently, with the ability to read a whole conversation.
Especially from one girl who puts “Xx” at the end of EVERY bloody text.
Asquith – it *is* supposed to be a kiss which makes it either very romantic or bloody ridiculous!
Area – I have just been chuckling at a “thread” on my phone of 58 messages between me and a mate who knows what to write in a text. Very funny indeed.
I put text to excellent use this past summer. I quit work in mid july and spent the remaining summer days on the beach, instead of working my ass off in 40 degree temps. While acquiring a nice, even tan and baiting hooks from my lounge chair on the dock, I sent my former co-workers messages like.
” It doesn’t entirely suck at the beach, although the beer is so cold it hurts my teeth”, or after a swim,
“come on in, the waters fine…oh, you can’t? You’re working? Shame.
I like to think they appreciated my thoughtfulness, although at times their replies seemed a bit surly. Odd.
PG – excellent use of text messaging there!
Blue, I think it’s all code.
The X means…Aren’t you a secret agent too?
Unless of course it is coupled with O’s like this…
XOXOXO
Then I’m telling you Hugs and Kisses Blue!
