I’m a big fan of text messaging. It’s quick, easy, and relatively painless, mostly because you don’t have to have a twenty minute phone call to ask a 30-second question. So, I text a lot. Every day. When it comes to dating and relationships however, texting is not such a great idea. In L.A., it’s easy to walk into a restaurant or bar and see half the people on their cell phones. It’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder when conversation started taking a back seat.

I wonder why people get together for a meal if they’d rather be texting with someone else. Especially when I see a group of teenagers, all on their phones. It’s like it’s not acceptable anymore to actually talk to the people we’re with. We make tentative plans until something better comes along at the last minute, and worse, we seem to expect that plans will likely fall through. It’s just too easy to cancel from the comfort and ease of our handheld devices. That part is what gets me the most.

And then there are the drunk and angry texts that get sent, creating unnecessary drama. I think the general rule of thumb is: if you want to discuss something that you are angry about, don’t text it. Please pick up the phone. Oh, and if you know you will be drinking, hand a friend your cell phone. Do it for self respect. I once texted a boyfriend from 10 years previous when I was a little under the influence. It was not fun to read my texts the next morning.

Then there were the times I sent a breezy post-first-date text to let a guy know I’d had a good time and was looking forward to seeing him again. Then, when I got no response, naturally I wondered if my text went into some great black wireless hole. I guess the bottom line is, texting is a great tool, but it shouldn’t replace a real conversation. Texting can’t convey emotions or personality. I think texting works best when it’s kept to a minimum.