Text Messaging
Posted by Michelle Churchill on Jun 18th, 2007
Finally, Westchester Man called for a second date and we made plans to meet for lunch the following week. Over the next few days, an annoying habit seemed to be surfacing. It seemed that the only way he would communicate was by sending me a text message on my cell phone. It drove me insane! Now perhaps it’s because he has children and I don’t, but I confess I don’t do text messaging.
First, if you’ve got time to send a text message, you’ve got time to call me.
Second, I’m 50! I need my reading glasses every time one comes in.
Third, I am text-challenged. By the time I’ve responded to the first one, he’s sent three more.
On the day of our second date, the text messages start early. They are sexy and then naughty. Westchester Man came to my place for lunch. We had a lovely time. He stayed for several hours until he had to go home to meet his son after school.
A couple of days passed and he began sending text messages again. If this is how men with children communicate, I am done. I send a text message back saying he should call me. He did and we made plans for a third date.
The day before our third date he called to let me know that he had to go out of town on business. He apologized and suggested the following week. Such is life with a grown man.
The following week Westchester Man started with some naughty text messaging and a suggestion that we get together for lunch. I arranged my schedule so that I would be free for the afternoon. Something I don’t typically do, but Westchester Man seemed worth the effort.
On date day he sent a text message saying that he was stuck in a meeting and would be late. The day proceeded with more messages relaying his delayed schedule. Finally, the day was over and I went home. He was still in his meeting.
I confess I was disappointed and a bit annoyed, but certainly understood that when duty calls you’ve got to answer. I did not, however, understand when my phone did not ring that evening. Have I been that big of a fool? Was this man not as buttoned down as I thought, merely thinking he’d found a toy until he could land himself a Westchester Wife? Perhaps I was overreacting but surely he should have called to say he was sorry.
A few days passed and he started to send text messages again. I wrote back and suggested that a call was the way to communicate. I received no response and decided that was the end of Westchester Man.
Days pass and then another text message. I am stunned. I search for my reading glasses and flip open my phone to read it. Amazingly has sent a text message breaking up with me. He doesn’t feel right about continuing to see me. What does that mean? Were we still dating? Was he dating someone else? Was I just not suburban enough? I tried to call, but ended up sending a text in response suggesting that he should have had the courtesy to deliver that message by phone or even e-mail, that a text message was childish and rude.
I was mildly annoyed and certainly surprised. That being said, at least I’ve learned a lesson. Living in Westchester in a big house does not mean you are all grown up.
at 9:40 a.m.
Michelle, you are not the first one I've heard this happen to. This man was clearly immature and balls-less. It annoys me to no end that some people think cell phone technology and email have given them the license to be rude and piggish. I love my email but I yearn for the days of hand-written letters and long phone calls into the night.
mchurchill
at 12:24 p.m.
Thanks for the words of support. I think we need to re-learn how to interact without the crutch of technology.
at 2:31 p.m.
Technology (i.e. the internet) is actually a beneficial crutch to us introverted types who might not have the courage to approach someone in person (for a date, for instance). But to use it because you just don't have the guts to deliver bad news in person is really inexcusable. And very immature.
at 1:32 p.m.
Michelle, I too recently have been a fool of this hi-tech world with it's texting magic...People have forgotten how to be personal with anyone, anymore...I had dated this guy for about 6 months. I found his way of communicating was through texting.I called him & left a message to tell him- I perfer you talk to me on the phone if [1] you are to ask me out,[2]you are to apologise,[3]if you choose not to go out anymore....Guy never responded.....I think men are so afraid of confronting women that they will do anything to avoid it...they know that "hell has no fury than that of an angry women"...I too am 50 & don't believe in all this hi-tech way of communicating...I think it holds its good pieces, but has been misused, even by ones who we would think know better...it frustrates the bejesus out of me!!...What happened to good old letter writing & phone calls late @ night?...people are lazy & too self-absorbed!