#1) Texting in Social Situations

1. What are your thoughts on texting in social situations?   

         My thoughts on texting in social situations are that they do not really bother me. There are situations where it is inappropriate -but overall, if they do not want to socialize and would much rather be talking to a screen than a face, then it is fine by me. It is up to people to decide if they want to text or actually talk with a voice. I have nothing against it. In my opinion and own experience, I find that if I do not feel comfortable in this social situation, I resort to texting. I would much rather entertain myself by talking to someone through a screen than be bored and/or uncomfortable. 

         Sure, I could just start up a conversation with a random person but in this generation, more often times than not, people will not hold up a conversation. I've also been to social events in which there are actually no people to talk to. In these cases, I find that the people involved in the events are no where near my age range. It is even more difficult to keep up a conversation in these situations. Here, a topic of common interest is hard to find, which means the conversations will most likely be silent. Therefore, to pass time, texting would suffice to hold up my attention. 

          I am not a chronic texter, however, I cannot say that I do not enjoy it or do it in social situations. Texting is inappropriate in social situations when there are actually people to talk to and your full undivided attention is needed. I consider it rude to be constantly texting during these situations. Altogether, texting in social situations is alright if you LEGITIMATELY have nothing to do/ no one to talk to, but it is definitely inappropriate if you are texting while your attention is needed. 

2. Do you find it rude if you’re talking to somebody and they proceed to text continuously on their cell phone?
         To be honest, yes, I do find it rude if I'm talking to someone and they proceed to text continuously on their cell phone. My opinion with this is biased. Ever since I was young, my parents have always told me it was rude to not pay attention to someone if they were talking to me. This was especially encouraged while we were at a family party. One time, we were at this party and my cousin decided to bring her boyfriend and introduce him to everybody. My dad decided to talk to my cousin's bf to get to know him. Suddenly, as my dad was speaking to him, he busted out his phone and began to text. My dad, being irritated, ended the conversation early and after the party, told us not to do the same. First off, if you were in the same situation as my cousin's boyfriend, you should be very cautious about what you do so that you could make a great first impression. I don't even understand why he would text if someone was speaking to him. Isn't it disrespectful to do that? It could have been a sign telling my dad he was boring. I'm not really sure. But it's just plain rude to show him he's boring by texting -if that were the case.  
         In certain circumstances, checking a text that is important would be alright. For example, if you were constantly texting a friend or  family member about something important, like someone being in the hospital, then it's alright, by all means, check that text! If you were already texting, and then I approached you, keep texting. Or at least finish sending that text and then speak. It's not a big deal as long as you at least show some sign that you're not ignoring the person while finishing sending that text because it could be percieved that way if you were texting while talking to someone. Overall, I think that it is rude to text while having a conversation, in my eyes, it's just so impolite. 

3.If you had to come up with a list of five etiquette rules for texting, what would they be?

• if in a real conversation where voices are heard and faces are seen, don't bust out your phone and indulge in another conversation

• don't let it be a distraction, know when to text. If you have work to do, it is not the right time to text. Everyone will have their phone on them at all times, respond when you can, they'll be there to read it instantly

• enjoy what's around you before getting into another world, don't be a chronic texter. When you die, wouldn't you want your last thoughts to be on the things you've seen and done in your life, not remembering your phone screen, the texts you got and memorizing your font

• adding on to it being a distraction, make sure not to text when your attention is NEEEEEEDED. Ex. when driving, walking down the stairs, through the hallways, etc. 

• on the positive side of texting, if you have time to text and are not in a social situation, don't text one word answers, that's boring. Text me something I'll be interested in, that is in fact still texting etiquette
  (refer to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmjiPSo2-BQ WARNING: may not be appropriate for all viewers!)