Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for February 22, 2014

I’m interested in who thinks this practice is unusual and who doesn’t. I text people “call me” if a) I don’t want to interrupt them at work/event/sleep but do want to talk to them or b) I have important news to relay and I want them somewhere they can take a call.••My take is that Gene wants to have an actual discussion and may have important news. If Janis picks takes a call at the grocery store or while driving, she may not be in a good position to talk but she WOULDN’T put up with a cryptic “call me when you can talk” and would try to force the conversation at that time anyway.••Seems rational to me. Anybody else?

Boophilus, thanks, I don’t text, so up until now I’ve never known a reason to do it, but that makes sense.

My daughter is a realtor and can’t always take a call. If I NEED to talk to her I will send a text for her to call me when she can talk.

So Mom can pay the long distance charges.

Interesting. What developed with my friends/family and myself was not text based. We started before there was texting. It is simple. You call, if the person is busy then they just let it go to voicemail. You don’t have to answer the phone just because it rings. So if they don’t answer your message tells them what you want. Since texting started we use it for short messages only. Such as, “I am leaving now” or “pick up ice.”

I readily admit it has widespread appeal but I don’t understand it. Gadgetry is an area in which I’m conservative. I’m retired and am grateful that my closest friends, cats and dogs, aren’t into such expensive desires erroneously labelled as “needs.” At least once a year I vacation in an area where there’s no such service, just in case I meet others and want to have a good conversation.

Points well taken. BUT….. There is no requirement that you accept a call when it is not a good time. (That is why God created VoiceMail ). My phone bings when I am driving with a text I don’t stop watching the road to see what it is. VoiceMail does the same function as TextMessaging, and is easier.

My phone has a Straight to VoiceMail feature. When Idon’t want to talk or read, I use that setting.

I agree 75% – the rationale is good, but the command to “call me” is boorish. I text, “Are you free to talk?”

She’s in luck. The Federal Department of Worry is holding classes on affective worrying.

Ya both get billed for the minutes

I think that “Please call me when it’s convenient for you” should get the job done.