Talking on the phone

Hi! OK, we've had a decade of phone evolution since this thread was last revived. Curious how everyone's habits have or haven't changed. I'd say 10 years ago I was already well down the line toward preferring texting to talking for most things, and that has only become more true. However! I also continue to appreciate the value of an actual conversation for particular purposes: one, catching up with family or friends who I don't see or interact with all that much; two, sorting out complicated details of plans that are too annoying to go through rounds of texting over; three, lots of work related things, obviously including interviews. (Although some number of those I now use Zoom for.)

But also, I have increasingly found that I prefer having the phone on speaker to holding it up to my ear — frees up hands for other things, I can have a conversation while making dinner or looking things up online or whatever, and my arm doesn't get tired or my ear hot and sweaty. Of course, that's only practical when I'm by myself somewhere, because I do not want to be the obnoxious person broadcasting my whole conversation to whoever's around.

So, what are your habits? What do you use phone calls for vs. texts, emails or Zooms? Do you FaceTime? Do you use speaker? What's up, Alexander Graham?

Like 99% of my vocal conversations using the phone are on voice notes, the others are with my dentist or my pharmacist or my hairdresser etc

Voice notes are so Irish-coded

But also, I have increasingly found that I prefer having the phone on speaker to holding it up to my ear

With you on the practicality of this in theory but it irritates me I'm talking to someone and can hear them doing other stuff and/or becoming distant from phone at times.

irritates me *when

I apologize ahead of time, like "I'm just making a salad" or whatever. I wouldn't do something like dishes, where the noise would be especially intrusive.

There's also the option of earbuds, which my wife uses when she's on the phone, but I've always found irritating for some reason.

I miss what it was like to have a conversation OTP before Facetime, video chat, etc when we were all privy to multitasking without making our phone mate feel like we aren't paying attention

I like talking on the phone with people I like… I think video chat is super awkward, and will generally only do it for work if the client wants it or if i need to screenshare. Basically 99% of everyone looks awkward on video chat/facetime.

I actually like phone on speaker because in my brain it simulates the acoustics of an in person conversation? Maybe that’s just my weirdness… idk

Voice notes are so Irish-coded