Friends using messages instead of picking up the phone

I use WhatsApp or Messenger, very rarely actually talk to anyone on the phone. We don't have a landline.
Mt son and I can have quite long WhatsApp "chats" over the course of an hour or so, both often doing something else at the same time.

The problem with messaging is that some people expect a five hour converation.
And i can t

alk the hind leg off a donkey.
But, as above shows, I'm not very dextrous, finger wise, can barely see what I'm doing, and have a steam powered phone.

I hate when the phone rings, just message me!

Phoning was fine when it was just landlines. If a person wasn’t in they didn’t answer. Now with mobiles they can be anywhere and a call is often inconvenient.
My DS tends to call often but always on the landline. Our DD uses WhatsApp. It is much less intrusive.

I keep in touch with friends and family using Messenger. The phone was wonderful when that was the only way of instant contact but now I think it has had its day. Have stopped using a landline altogether and calls are more easily screened on my mobile.

I rarely use the phone to call people and prefer to message. It's obviously a personal choice for folk. Fewer younger people actually call now and tend to use WhatsApp instead

One of the advantages of WhatsApp messages is that you can read and reply when it suits you. I have one friend who could have a long back and forth chat on WhatsApp, but if I see a message from her, I tend not to reply immediately.

I agree with Sago. People seem to ring at the most inconvenient moments . I love WhatsApp and use it regularly to communicate with family and especially with DD. We always begin the day by sharing our Wordle results and that might be all or we may continue to message throughout the day sharing our thoughts and activities and exchanging photos of the pets etc. I think it is a lovely way of keeping in touch.

Yes, I find phone calls intrusive.

I will often send/receive a text asking when a call is convenient.

I love WhatsApp! My lovely DDs send me jolly messages all the the time and photos of what they are all doing so it is like sharing all this when I cannot be with them. They can do this speedily and easily in between what they need to do rather than having to carve out a long slot to talk in their busy lives. It is a godsend for me.
And I have lots of chats with friends ... jokes shared on the spur of the moment ... requests for help .... ideas and pics.
I am also on several whatsapp groups where we share info about what is happening, offer up things we do not need, provide support, and ask for help ... lifts, info, advice etc.
I get to "talk" with everyone far more than if I had to rely on phone only ... and WhatsApp video calls with family are great.