Textpectations vs. Reality
The cellphone has been saving us from awkward situations since 1973.
Picture this: you’re stumbling back to your dorm after one of those wild, rom-com-worthy parties where every decision was a bad decision. Mid-stumble, you spot Ted—the creepy guy from the party who, in your drunken haze, seemed kiss-worthy. Now, he looks more like a disaster, and for some inexplicable reason, he smells like kitten poop. Why? Just because.
Enter the cellphone, your savior. With a quick flick of the wrist, you’re suddenly engrossed in an imaginary urgent text, breezing past Ted like he’s invisible.
Don’t pretend you haven’t done it. We all lean on our cellphones to dodge these cringe-inducing encounters. I’ve got it down to an art. Usually, I type out fake texts to whoever I’m trying to avoid. This way, my fingers’ movements look authentic.
The text will say something like, “Hey Rebecca, I don’t want to stop and talk to you, because you never shut up, and last time I stopped, you made me late to class, because you spent twenty five minutes talking about how your throat hurts, which is kind of ironic, and, oh, great, I made it past you.”
It’s a genius idea until you accidentally send one.
Cellphones also let us say what’s on our minds without the awkward face-to-face encounters. I mean, it’s so much easier to tell someone their chin looks like a butt when you’re safely at home, miles away from their fist, which also looks like a butt.
Additionally, cellphones give us the guts to be annoying. Pre-cellphone era, I couldn’t wander into a store and talk to myself without looking like a nutcase. Now, I can jabber away, thanks to my trusty Bluetooth earpiece, and nobody bats an eye.
But I do have to draw the line somewhere. Let’s be real—it’s not cool to blame cellphones for car accidents. Seriously, folks, put the phone down when you’re driving. You’re driving a car, not a telephone booth. And while we’re on the subject, it’s not a beauty parlor or restaurant, either.
Sure, cellphones help dodge awkward moments, but they can create a few, too. Sometimes, I end up texting someone, even though I don’t want to, just because they won’t stop texting me first.
Fortunately, every texting marathon ends the same way: a message that screams, “This conversation is over. I’m off to do something interesting now.”
45 Comments
Kate
Haha! That is so true! I do that whenever I pass someone who I don't want to talk to…
And, about the story…well, I'm still developing it. I haven't worked out the entire plot. When I do get the first few pages written, I'll put something up. 🙂
Lilly
I know, right? Cells have actually saved my ass a couple of times but the way they're being used by people is somewhat ridiculous. My grandma starts crying when she can't get ahold of someone to tell them something that's very unimportant and could have waited just a little while longer.
When I had both my ex and my teacher, who are both named Dave, on my phone, I accidentally sent a bunch of texts to my teacher instead of my boyfriend. It was really awkward xD.
The thing that I hate about texting is that tone never shows itself through the limited amount of words that a text message has. So many people misunderstand me because they only know me through texting. E_E
Finally, somebody agrees that cellphones really aren't that great! This is exciting. 😀
Vicky
That is so true! I never really thought about it like that before. I'm constantly looking at my phone, texting, or tweeting when I'm in awkward situations. I'm quite an awkward person anyway so my phone saves me a lot of the time.
It has sort of stopped friends from hanging out in a way, the same way social networking sites do.
I can't stand people who use their phone when they drive, grr.
Jhase
HAHA!
Yes! This is what cellphones were built for, to make awkward situations less awkward. Of course, they were also built as a mean of communication, but who cares about that now and days?
You are right, cellphones give people rights to hide and say what they want. That sucks so badly too, like when people break up with someone over a text message. First off, rude! Secondly, if you had the courage to ask them out, shouldn't you use that same courage to dump them face to face?
Ah either way, the cellphone revolution is never ceasing to amaze me. Soon, we will be driving telephone booths that hover, and we'll be crashing that way.
Good update as always Justin. Seeing as how its been forever, DWEEB. =D
Nancy
Your layouts are always awesome :D!
CELLPHONES DOES SAVE US FROM AWKWARD SITUATIONS! I love doing that whenever I pass by people who I don`t feel comfortable with. Well- I do, but I prefer not to conversate with them XD!
Just send yourself a text message XD! But instead of putting your number in your phonebook under your name, you can put it in your alter ego's name XD. Unless its the same D:!
Cellphones can be evil. Because they can massively distract us :C!
Sometimes, when I send text messages, I want to stop. But the other person doesn't. Its just. Awkward :C.
Take care (:
Jessica
Your new layout is super fantastic! 🙂
This is so true! I know that anytime I'm about in public and I happen to be standing alone, waiting for someone or something, I just pull my phone out. It's a great way to either A.) Avoid an awkward situation, as you said or B.) Make yourself look like less of a loser, just standing there by yourself
ahaha. Yes, the phone was indeed a great invention. Minus the fact that they can cause car wrecks of course :X
Becca
I pretend to be texting someone all the time. This weekend I'm visitng a bunch of family that i havent seen in a pretty long time, and all my cousins are about twenty years older rhan i am, so I just pretend like im taalking to someone and am not actually a loser. 😛
I think cell phones cause tons of drama because people are not face to face. Especially among teenagers and gosh those like 10 year olds. At least all the ones I know. 😡 it's personally causing drama in my youth group at church.
Haha! It wouldn't surprise me if they snuck in an extra six dollars! My school is just really cheap or maybe you just didnt get charged another fee? Who knows.
Kaylee
HAHA so true, and theres that moment when you look like a dick because your pretending to be on the phone and it rings!
yes roll up = very essential and the bus is my usb drive 🙂 it my Universal Serial Bus. not that anyone calls it that anymore/ ever did haha
Ida
haha the telephone can for sure save us out of some awkward situations!!
i think the phone was an incredible idea, today i don't know what i would've done without it. if i need to call someone in the family or text to give them a message or something along those lines, it all happnes in no time, but if i didn't have a phone i would actually have to walk the long distance between houses to deliver a message? haha (:
and thank you!! i'm glad you have faith, 'cause i'll need it. the exam is in math, haha!
no i'm mot moving to london, i'm just going on a trip there with my family (: and it's my dream to go to london because i've seen it on pictures and it's wow! besides i've always wanted to see that city with my own eyes!! it's a lot different from where i live.
Eden-Avalon
xD Justin! Thanks for the comment – I was quite surprised to see someone of the XY chromosome variety on the site. I haven't posted geekery there in a while (though – I was considering it. Psychic link?)
In regards to Ted and my tolerance of kitten poop aside: Whenever I am walking and there's someone creepy. I get on the phone (for realsies or to someone imaginary and important) and pretend to talk. I usually make it a point to mention the person I'm walking by. Who attacks someone when they've already been identified and mentioned by the would-be victim right?
The text message idea just seems silly. What if you, in the giddy thrill of avoidance, accidentally send it? Then you have to apologize or exert the effort to come up with a rude and witty snipe.
…Now I want to drive a telephone booth.
Frau Bloggerin
That's a good point about cellphone…protection? I just hope I don't misplace mine this time. I am not a cellphone person, it's just there for calls… in either way, if I see Ted, that would help me…:=)
Stephanie
I have never thought of doing that! I should try that sometime.
To me, it's just as hard to insult someone over the phone as face-to-face. Either way, they're both receiving your raw, unmodified words.
Thania
I really cant stop laughing at this blog! lol. Everything is totally true!. "Its a genius Idea untill you accidently send one!" ahah <– my favorite part
lol Pink is the best color ever. dont ever feel embarrased for having someting pink:) Im buying it sunday hopefully!. ahh Im just crossing my fingers hoping its in stock! lol.
Mayra
HAHA you always make your blogs so interesting to read, when i start reading it makes me want to keep on reading and well that is the point when you write! Unlike me, i suck at writing and my blogs are usually boring. >.<
I agree with you, cellphones can save you from talking to someone you really don't want to, and it helps to make you looks busy (:
Im not sure when you changed your layout, i haven't visited our site in a while but it looks amazing.
Thanks for your comment.
Tine
finally an update! :)) i sometimes do the talking to myself thing when i'm in a place where i dont want to look like a LONER. lol. and a cure for schiz? hahaha that's possible, i guess.
i prefer texting that calling.. just because it's cheaper here in the philippines. some networks offer unlimited calls for one day/week but i feel like just wasting my money because i got no one to talk with that much. :p
p.s.
i love your new layout!
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