Old People Can't Text

Have you noticed? There seems to be a sharp dividing line, and maybe it really is the "Generation Gap" everyone talks about. Texting. Either you are a texter or you aren't. And if you are over sixty, odds are you aren't.

Many oldsters have embraced the computer age to one degree or another. The kids send them pictures or set them up with underused Facebook accounts. Point and click isn't the problem. Screen hints and big buttons make the basic tasks easy.

Texting really got off on the wrong foot with that crowd with the whole "Press the same button multiple times" trick. Seriously. The oldsters are from a time where every function had It's own button. The whole concept of menu access or menu driven choices, particularly when one button does multiple tasks dependent on context is just un-natural and possibly immoral as well. Never mind that onscreen keypads have obviated that dilemma. The die is cast and the verdict is in. Don't even think about texting 'em. They're not interested.

The other thing they're not interested in is the very abruptness of texting. Remember, this is a generation that lifted ' Passing the time of Day" to an art form. To them, texting is just plain rude, pure and simple. Not even a 'By your leave' or a 'Howdy do?' They have a point. If you spoke to another person the way you text, chin first, you would be rude indeed.

The interesting thing is that they are absolutely right. There is a reason for all the extra stuff, and it is totally lost in the texting world. So much of our true communication is non-verbal....body language which can only be approximated by smiley faces. Eye contact which speaks volumes. Not to mention that emoticons allow us to fake our non-verbal signals with the press of a key. Sure there are ways to add emphasis to the written(or texted) word. But you really can't beat good 'old' face to face time, not to be confused with.... ahem, 'facetime.' I mean cumon! aren't relationships difficult enough when we are together? Add some space and delete some body language and is there any wonder why people can't work stuff out?