GeekSugar

TextMyFood: Love It or Leave It?

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:00:33 PST

Though there have been plenty of cell phone rants about diners whipping out their cell phones during meals, and debates on whether or not that behavior is OK, there's a new app that encourages you to use your cell at the table . . . if only to get your waiter's attention.

Called TextMyFood, this app allows you to communicate with your server via text message. In restaurants that have implemented the service, you can text your server when you need another round of drinks, more ketchup, the check, have a complaint about your food, whatever, really, instead of trying to flag them down with a wave of your hand. Not only does this seem rather impersonal but kind of annoying for the server. I don't like when my phone blows up with push notifications, text messages, and email alerts, so I can imagine that a packed dining room full of texters would equal stress for the waitstaff. What do you think?

10 Percent of People Would Check Texts During Sex - Would You?

GeekSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:47:29 PDT

Although I've admitted to keeping my iPhone on me at all times, I'm a little surprised at these numbers: a recent study says that almost 10 percent of people on average are OK with interrupting sex to check electronic messages. Unbelievable? Well, that number climbs even higher for those of you under the age of 25. But it doesn't stop there - nearly 50 percent of people 25 or younger are OK with dinner-time interruptions, while nearly a quarter of study participants would check messages while in the restroom. I have a problem with people whipping out their phones to check emails and messages while at the table, so this goes way beyond my boundaries of text etiquette for me.

Could this indicate that as a society we are addicted to staying "connected" . . . or is it really telling us that we're just not that good in bed? Either way, tell me - would you interrupt sex to check a message?

Do You Text During Concerts or Other Shows?

GeekSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:29:00 PDT

The other night, I went to a concert with a few of my friends. After the initial bag check and ticket scan from security, we saw large signs at the entrance to the venue reading, "The artists ask that you set your phones to vibrate and refrain from texting and other cell phone use during the performance." While I'm used to signs asking concert-goers not to take photos or videos during the show, this was the first ban on texts or cell phone use I'd seen during a concert. The reasoning behind the ban makes sense, but I wondered how strictly it could be enforced in a crowded venue.

Surprisingly, it was enforced by the venue's staff - I was totally busted when I absent-mindedly pulled my phone out of my pocket! Also surprisingly, concert-goers respected the texting rules. I'll have to admit, though I'm guilty of during-show texting, it was nice to enjoy a concert without the constant glow of cell phone screens from around the room. I'm used to seeing the polite no-texting signs displayed in movie theaters (and soon anti-WiFi paint could make texting impossible), but I'm on the fence about a similar ban during live shows. What do you think?

Source: Flickr User akeg

Is There a Right and Wrong Time For Texting?

GeekSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:25:42 PDT

Text messaging has become as much a form of communication as an old-fashioned phone call. What's different about texting, though, is that it's a (mostly) silent activity that can conceivably be done on the sly.

I've talked about texting while driving, texting and dating, and texting while dining.

The subject is all over the news, too: The New York Times just reported that there's a ban on federal workers texting while driving, and the Today show recently ran a segment about parents who set texting rules - specially during meals, vacations, parties, and other family time. I personally cannot stand talking with someone who's texting at the same time.

Texting at the wrong time can be rude, distracting, and in the case of driving, downright dangerous. Are there other texting situations that drive you crazy?

Tech Dating 101: He Texts, But Won't Call - Am I Being Played?

GeekSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:30:32 PDT

Welcome back to my Tech Dating 101 series, where I help guide you through the rocky terrain where tech and love collide. It's a wired world out there, and if this next story is any proof, it's hard to tell the difference between a geek and a player. A friend of mine offered up this situation that she recently went through in hopes to gain some insight from me, as well as from you.

She met a guy through a friend who was a total charmer and seemed to be right up her alley in the looks and personality department. After a few weeks of arranging meet-ups via text and email, she realized she couldn't get him on the phone. He somehow got out of every telephone conversation, and ended up conversing online or through a series of texts. She wants to know: "Am I getting played?"

Find out my answer to this question and hear my advice to her about this phone call challenged dude when you

read more. My first instinct is to tell her to drop this guy like a hot potato - anyone who can't converse with you over the phone has got to be hiding something, right? Maybe he's sending you texts because he's too busy with his bevvy of other babes to risk speaking to you when you call. It seems kinda shady. But on the other hand, maybe this guy isn't wise to the rules of dating, or perhaps he's just text obsessed. In any case, someone has to lay down the law about proper texting etiquette, and it looks like it may be you. If you can't carry on a normal phone conversation with your prospective beau (and that type of thing is important to you), you may want to move on. However, if everything seems normal in person (with great conversation to boot), he may just be one of those guys that doesn't like to chit-chat over the phone. Either way, my only real advice here is to follow your gut! If the situation seems fishy to you, and you can't shake the uneasiness about this phone call road block, then swim on. There are plenty of other guppies in the sea, my friend, and there's no need to spend this much time worrying about a guy you just met. Source

Cell Phone Rant: Why Texting Is Just As Bad

GeekSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:30:09 PST

I suppose it would be OK to text in certain places that it's not appropriate to be using a cell phone; while you're in a drive-thru, or happily tapping away in the backseat of a taxi cab, but in most scenarios, it is just as rude to be clicking your thumbs through texts as it is to be flapping your lips on your phone.

I don't mean to be ageist, but there's a younger demographic that I've encountered that thinks this is OK - I say this because I found myself chewing out my 20-year-old sister several times (I still love you, baby girl) over the long weekend for texting.

Yes, I know that younger people (man I sound SO old) text more often than they talk on the phone and maybe starving college students can't afford pricey smartphones to email on - I get the practice, but not the dependence.

To see the places I have given my sister the stink eye for texting (including the movies, the most sacred of cell phone abstinence), just

read more. Stink eye delivered: At the dinner table (really?), in a movie theater (come on), and (my fave) while we're having an intent conversation, just the two of us. In an effort to keep our sisterly bond intact, she gamely apologized, but I knew she'd have those texts flowing the minute she was free to, when the old-lady big sister looked the other way. And so I urge you, on behalf of the geezers who don't understand why you are always texting, indulge us and don't text anywhere you would feel weird talking on a cell phone. Got a good cell phone or texting rant? Join the Cell Phone Rant Group! Source

Is It Ever OK to Text Message at the Table?

GeekSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:00:26 PDT

Having started a group called Cell Phone Rant, I'm fairly sure you know where I stand on cell phones at the dinner table: Emergency situations permitted only. However, being that text messaging is newer than cell phones and some people think it's less obtrusive to be "quietly" typing, I hate it.

Maybe it's because I'm old, but when my little sister whips out her phone and is click-click-clacking to someone else, I get irritated and offended - when you're with someone, be with them. I loved seeing an episode of Tori and Dean recently where one of Tori Spelling's BFFs calls her out for being "so rude" by texting while out at dinner.

But like I said, maybe this is a new thing that as a non-youth, I am just not a part of. I say, texting at the dinner table: Emergency situations only. What do you think?

Source

OMG! Can You Text As Fast As Paris Hilton?

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:10:39 PDT

Have you ever wondered if you can text as fast as texting junkies like Paris Hilton or Rosario Dawson?

While I have no clue how fast either of the ladies text, LG is hosting the National Texting Championship NY edition and you too can get in on the finger fun. Players will compete in pools and be asked to type phrases on their enV / V handsets (yes, you have to be an LG user) exactly as they appear with no typos or abbreviations.

The first player in each pool who sends an error-free message to the right contact will advance to the next round. As game play continues, the phrases to be texted will increase in difficulty.

The west coast contest has already happened, but after the East Coast Texting Champion has been crowned, the bi-coastal winners will wage war for an additional $15,000. The LG National Texting Champion will win a total of $25,000. Like OMG - WISP. Oh wait, no abbreviations allowed. Like oh my god - winning is so pleasurable!

Source

Texting Etiquette: Time To Clean Up Your Act

GeekSugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 15:09:58 PDT

I may be a geek, but there are a few geeky habits I can't stand. The first is replacing genuine emotion with emoticons. The second is replacing "be right back" with "brb" and spelling "how are you doing love?" with "how r u doing <3?" in a text message. While it's been reported that romantic text messages are on the rise it's also been reported that 11 percent of Americans say breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend via text message is okay, a number that is not okay by me. Open Loops has put together a great list of text etiquette items that I suggest you memorize. And seriously, if anyone ever breaks up with me via text, well you didn't deserve me anyway. To check out the list,

Don’t replace all communication with texts. It’s the same within a business environment as it is with personal relationships, texting cannot communicate those subtle nuances that accompany face-to-face meetings or even phone calls.
Don’t deliver bad news by text.
Texts should be short and sweet – Verizon says that anything over 160 characters should be an email.
Don’t expect your text to get to your recipient the minute you hit “send." I’ve seen messages take days to get there. If it’s time sensitive, call. I sent one text in reply to one that I received and it was delivered the following day…at least 30 times. My recipient sent me one back saying, “Make it stop!”
Don’t send texts while under the influence…bad move.
Check the recipient’s number BEFORE you hit “send." Your boss might not like receiving the love letter you thought you sent to your girlfriend.

Open Loops

6 Places You Should Fight the Urge to Use Your Cell

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:34:33 PST

A new survey says that 75 percent of Americans use their smartphone while on the toilet. No wonder 16 percent of cell phones have poop on them. Gross. Not only is talking, texting, or web surfing on the John a disgusting habit that encourages the spreading of germs and bacteria, but it can also cause awkward moments for others around you. But the loo isn't the only place you should consider a tech-free zone. Check out the list below for five other locations you should keep your phone under wraps and on silent.

At the movies - We all paid to get into the theater, so please keep your cell phone on silent and don't answer it if it rings; you'll be ruining the experience for the rest of us!
At the gym - Talking on your cell at the gym is a no-no according to FitSugar, and I'd have to agree. Getting distracted and walking away from equipment slows the rest of the gym-goers down, and no one really needs to hear you go into detail about last night's date, your annoying coworker, or your mother-in-law's upcoming visit while we're trying to run.
At the dinner table - If you've gone out of your way to meet with friends, family, or heck, even a date over dinner, the least you can do is keep your cell phone off the table. Placing your phone next to your plate just makes it seem like you're waiting for someone to call, or worse, looking for something better to do.
Behind the wheel - This one seems obvious, but 56 percent of people have seen someone use their mobile phone behind the wheel. Even scarier? Almost 25 percent of Americans have seen someone using a laptop behind the wheel.
In the bedroom - This is a no-brainer, right? Maybe not. A 2010 study showed that 10 percent of people would check texts during sex. Are we so preoccupied with staying connected that we can't even enjoy a little unplugged "business time"!?