I don’t know why but it seems COVID has made popular Text Groups. Maybe it’s just me, but they seem to have multiplied.
Pre pandemic, I think I was only in 1 text group. Now I have 1 Family group, a couple regarding work and maybe 3-4 friend groups.
I’m just gonna say it, I understand they MIGHT be efficient, but that doesn’t mean I need to like them. Now, watch everyone remove me from their text group, even though that’s not what I’m saying either.
There needs to be some type of text group etiquette especially between Apple and Android users. I have a Samsung, love it and won’t be getting rid of it any time soon.
Work text groups usually flow pretty well and we seem to know when to stop texting after we have our point across.
Family texts seem to be one very long conversation that’s not necessarily strung together. There are none of the small pleasantries: communicate the topic, siblings make jabs at each other, repeat.
The friend text groups are the most interesting.
1). I have some that are with two friends who don’t know each other, the only common element is me. Those conversations are usually around one topic and done. Appropriate usually in how long the back and forth lasts and then it’s done.
2). I have some with a larger group of friends, around 4-5 people, there is always a common element: we know each other either through pre COVID hanging out, school, neighbors, etc. These text groups tend to be continuous conversations. Sometimes, if I’m away from my phone I’ve come back to 65+ texts and then need to catch up. Or if I fall asleep early, I wake up and all of the worlds problems were solved over text while I was sleeping. This can be annoying and can create a bit of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), because in a text string it’s difficult to go back and comment on something 45 texts ago. People have moved on already.
3). Finally, text groups people set up and I can’t identify 3/4 of the people on the text (well at least they aren’t set up in my phone), because I’m not good enough friends that they aren’t in my phone and have no clue who they are at all. Typically these group texts are around an event. The annoying part is that people don’t just respond back to the initiator. They reply to EVERYONE and continue to text everyone over and over again. I’ve never been so rude to say “remove me from this text string”, but I’ve seen people do it. The initiator had good intentions it’s just that the recipients need to use a bit of etiquette. Next time, be a gem and just text the initiator back especially if there is a bunch of people you don’t know. The rest of us thank you.
Finally, on behalf of all SUPER COOL Android users everywhere to all of my lovely Apple friends. I can’t Love, Emphasize, Laugh, Dislike, Like, Question etc. any text messages. Yes, here we go, I know “looser, get an iPhone”, “see iPhone are superior”, “I can’t believe you don’t have this feature what kind of cheap phone is that, anyway?”. But every time you do Love, Like, Emphasize, Laugh, Dislike or Question, yeah I get another text….so control the emoji text reactions.
Many Thanks. LOL
