Hacker News Reader

Comment by andrewzah | Hacker News Reader

Key statement there is 'used to be'. Now that phones are ubiquitous, it makes no sense to just go over someone's place or even call them, when you can just send a text that lets someone respond asynchronously. I also just have a policy of not picking up calls from unknown numbers except if they leave a voicemail or call several times.

Most people that I know only use calls for time sensitive/urgent needs. Most other things, aside from chatting with family etc, are really best handled with a text. For whatever reason the culture around phones has shifted to "don't force people to drop whatever they're doing and respond to a call unless it is actually necessary".

View on HN

And even then I'd argue kick off the urgent communication need with a text. They can call back if they realize synchronous communication is needed for the circumstance. They are more likely to receive the text than a phone call. If they are in a meeting or whatever, they would likely let the call go to voicemail, but a text they can discretely read.

What I do is call if it's urgent and time sensitive (SO is out shopping and I need to add something to the list). If no response and more urgent (actual emergency or needs immediate attention and is high priority), I call again. If not an emergency, I send a text with the necessary information and they can call back or respond via text.

Seems to work out well and fairly straightforward, I'd imagine I'm not the only one that follows this flow.

It depends on the other party's phone habits. We don't all carry them everywhere or check them constantly.

If you call me, I'll probably hear the phone ring, and can either answer it or check for a message, whereas if you send me a text, there's a decent chance I won't even notice its existence for some hours. Better hope that "urgent communication need" isn't too urgent...

> Most people that I know only use calls for time sensitive/urgent needs. Most other things, aside from chatting with family etc, are really best handled with a text. For whatever reason the culture around phones has shifted to "don't force people to drop whatever they're doing and respond to a call unless it is actually necessary".

Anyone feel like businesses small and large aren’t getting this? If I need a plumber or want to apply for a mortgage the first step is always a phone call. I don’t get it.

I’ve tried texting local businesses but it only occasionally works.

In Central America most businesses have switched to WhatsApp or Facebook messenger. They still keep the normal phones though. Texting wouldn't work here though.

At first it was only small businesses like the nearby cafeteria sending the lunch menu, then it was fast food deliveries, some banks. Last year some state institutions made the switch.

I'm not sure about a mortgage, since that requires more paperwork. But most of a car insurance, car loan, personal loan, new internet phone line, can be done via WhatsApp.

The local digital signature law still doesn't work though, so at certain point of the process, the company sends an official or someone from a private post company to get the real signatures on paper and confirm that the ID card matches the application.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com