Yesterday was the 56th anniversary of the first manned moon landing. We can land a man on the moon but we still can’t come up with a good way to end a text message. It’s also the 58th anniversary of the first Special Olympics. And still after all this time I can’t come up with a good way to work that into a referene on the absence of a good way to end a text message. Then again on the other hand, we’v had text messages for 41 years old and I still can’t come up with a good way to end a text message. I think I have a texting dysfunction.(Technically texting is 33 years old. It was invented in 1984 but not first used until 1992. I guess they had a hard time coming up with a good way to say hello.)
Having been born and raised in the telephone era, the transition to short messaging systems has been long and difficult. All these abbreviations and pictures with no punctuation. Anarchy I tell you!
To be very frank, I’m still not comfortable with the habit of just jumping into the conversation. No “Hello, how are you?” “Are you busy?” “Hey, s’up!” How do people think it’s appropriate to start off a conversation with “on my way,” or “be there soon,” or worst of all, “omw.” But having gotten beyond that I still can’t just stop. It’s like just getting out of— hmmm, its like sending a card that just says happy birthday and not signing it because the recipient should be able to figure it who it’s from by checking the postmark.
Closing a phone call is easy. “Bye,” Bye.” And you’re done. Messages seldom end that cutly and dryly. Oh, someone might get a “but” in but usually it’s as abrupt as it started and I’m not sure if they’re done so I poo back on and say something to see if they’re still there. And so on and so on and son on.
You may need shaking your head and quietly chuckling over this, but I know it’s a problem, a real problem, and others experience it too. I know because I got into a text message conversation yesterday afternoon with another who couldn’t say goodbye and we finally got around to “hanging up” around 9:30 last night. It’s a good thing we don’t have to pay for those things individually anymore.
The Real Reality Show Blog 
My mouth is still hanging open…because of your opening sentence. Fifty-six years ago yesterday? Are you quite sure about that??? Wowza. I remember, I remember…but yikes! 😜
Yep, 56 years. I checked my math three times! Kept getting the same answer. 🫤 Here’s another for you. Next week will be the 18th anniversary of the first iPhone hitting the shelves. There are kids starting college this fall who have never known life without a smart phone.
Wow…that’s nutty, right?!?😜
Like someone invented a solution before there was a problem.
Right on! 😜
Texting started in 1984? Huh, I don’t remember it until the early 2000s and dismissed it at first. Of course I had a flip phone so it was very tedious to text, not that using a smart phone makes me want to text all that much more. But it’s better.
There is some strange history around texting. Invented in 1984. First used in 1992. First text-enabled mobile phone 1999. What happened between 84 and 92 and then who and how were they sending messages between 92 and 99? The smart phone came out in 2007 and trxting really took off?
I always want to start a text message with formalities too – especially with someone I don’t text often. Funny.
I just put a bunch of emojis at the end and if I’m not wearing my glasses, I figure what I send probably has people either scratching their heads or laughing. But I don’t know because I can’t see it. 🙂
Haha!! I like the way you close a text. Certainly better than hiring “goodbye.” I may have to consider that!
Plain and simple, we’ve been slighting each other in conversations for way too long. Your comment about sending a birthday card without signing it is spot on. Maybe this is why we feel so disconnected, so lacking in respect. We don’t address anyone with who they are and why they are significant. Hello, Michael. It’s really great to read your insights today. Thank you. Good by.
Hello Dayle. Thank you for your comment. It’s always a pleasure to hear your insightful takes on my humble offerings. I look forward to “seeing” you again soon! Thanks again and have a great day! Bye for now, Michael