The Observer, December 9, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 13
Cleveland cell phone users in favor of texting
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According to a recent Alltel survey, residents of Cleveland use text messaging and its accompanying slang more than any city surveyed. Both men and women in the area confessed to using the service frequently and feel they are "text" savvy, according to the survey.
Phrases such as "np," "ttyl" and "brb" are among the many shorthand notes texters across the country use. Almost 70 percent of those surveyed knew what "ttyl" meant. The survey also found that Cleveland females average 10.5 text messages a day, while men average 2.8.
Among those surveyed, almost 75 percent reported using text messaging as a way to keep in touch with family and friends. "It's convenient if you don't want to have a long conversation with someone, especially family and friends," freshman Lauren Saito said. The survey also documented that more than half the people who text message do so at work.
Most people find that text messaging is much easier than calling. "I like text messaging. I think it's very handy. There are a lot of times when I can't call someone, but I can text message them," freshman Carina Woolf said.
Texting is also a great way to flirt, according to those surveyed by Alltel. The company documented that 72 percent of people believed that it is all right to flirt using text messaging, but only 39 percent confess to have used it in that manner. Also, more than half of Cleveland-area texters feel that it is appropriate to confirm a date using the service.
"Cleveland text messengers are helping set a trend nationwide," Wade McGill, vice president of wireless production management at Alltel, said. "With their regular use of acronyms, they are increasing the ease and speed at which people communicate via text messaging. We regularly monitor text messaging trends nationwide so we can offer our customers the latest in wireless messaging functions."
However, there are many downfalls to text messaging that phone companies do not make well known. "Text messages are annoying. I have to pay every time I receive one, but I cannot control if I accept them or not," junior Camilla Cullis said. Junior Ann Oh concurred, saying, "If I wasn't charged every time I used it, I'd do it more often."
The survey also asked some questions to participants about celebrities they would like to text. Residents named Jennifer Aniston their celebrity of choice with Brad Pitt, Eva Longoria, Paris Hilton, and Tom Brady rounding out the top five.
Text messaging continues to be a growing trend in the country with more users becoming savvy everyday. Cleveland, however, still reigns as the city with the most texters and the most knowledge about the service according to Alltel.
