Why do people keep sending me texts without including their names? Cell phones don't have caller ID. Or is it just my phone? (I have the latest, greatest iPhone.) These are NOT my good friends and family who I have listed in my contacts (obviously their names show up). I'm talking about neighbors calling from cell numbers they've never given to me, business people, school moms, etc. How on earth am I supposed to know who they are or what the heck they are texting about if I don't recognize the phone number and they don't include their name? It KEEPS happening! I TOLD you I had good reasons for resisting texting!!! And, yes, I know I can text back and ask their name, but wouldn't it be more convenient for me if they had just CALLED me and said "HI, this is Suzy Q. Can you meet me at 3:00?"
Am I missing something about texting etiquette?
So the message I'm getting is that by the time all is said and done, my contacts list will be HUGEMONGOUS!!!!! (Yes, I know I can have a favorites list as well.) Thanks for all the responses. I liked the one about getting some teenagers in my house. Mine are still 5 and 8. Guess that's my problem. Though they could help me master Angry Birds Star Wars if I had the desire.
If I don't know who is texting me, then I ask first. "I'm sorry but who is this?" Somehow typing those six words isn't that big of an inconvenience to me. Also I haven't raised anyone's hackles yet and it accounts for lost contact lists, passed around phone numbers and assumptions which happens in one form or other.
Theres an app that can download called Contactive, it will tell you who is calling and whether or not they are scams. Its great I love this app.
Well, when you find out the name that goes with the number, put it in your contacts, then when they text again, the name will come up. It's a work in progress. The whole business is a lot easier when you have teenagers in the house. They know everything.
:)
Did you exchange numbers with these people (as in, you gave them yours and they gave you theirs)? If so, then they assume you stored the number in your phone. So it would stand to reason that they would also assume their name comes up when they text you.
If they have never given you their number, then it's just that they are not thinking and/or are rude.
I think most are probably just not thinking, bc people text so much anymore, and usually it is to known parties, that they forget not everyone has their contact info stored. It's become an automatic assumption that texting = they know who you are, b/c in MOST cases, it's true. So people start skipping that step.
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Yes, teenagers are a big help. Why just yesterday mine insisted I add "Flappy Birds" to my phone, because he thought it was so hilarious. Immediately, my 12 yr old added it to the ipad, too, and we slammed into quite a few poles for a few minutes there. :D
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You can also add a signature to your phone so that every text you send at the bottom automatically adds somethings like : "Thanks, (yourname)". But generally when people give me their cell phone number I enter into my phone right away WITH their name, so the next time they call or text it comes up with their name.
They expect you to add them to your contacts when you get a call or message from them. It's just what you're supposed to do. Once you figure out who's sending the message hold your finger on the number and it will pop up and ask what you want to do for instance, delete the number, add to existing contact, create a contact, and more.
I'd simply text back and say who is this please then add that number to that person's contact numbers. Makes your life a lot easier.
If it is not in your contact list, then it will just show the number.
My suggestion add them as a contact when you give them your number. once you get it in there it will show with the name.
Nope, you are not missing anything. Just say (I mean text), who is this? Hopefully they will clue in that not everyone has there name/number as a contact. I too have an iPhone and it bugs me when this happens. They can not assume I put them in my phone.
I happen to LOVE texting. I do voice-to-text. I also text from my iCloud to others (only they have to have an iPhone too). I also text photos to my husband (I can text or email the phone-photos to him so he can see what activities we are doing throughout the day.)
Also, texting is nice way to keep records. If I need work on my house or rental units I can text a contractor. This way he can be on a job and read it his convenience (listening to vm is not as fast). This way he does not have to write it down because he can just look at the text.
Some people no longer check there vm anyway.
I have the same issue! It seems like sometimes a name appears, but mostly not. I'm still learning how to add it as a contact, so mostly my daughter does it for me while I'm figuring it out! I feel so weird replying with 'who is this' but I don't always know!
It just reminds me to say my name at the end of a first text to someone else. I also noticed that once people have my cell, they always call it first. It used to be try home first, then cell. Now no matter how many times I say try home first, they ONLY call my cell. I guess I have to catch up to the times, but I'm resisting too!! Good luck!
The first time they should include a name, if they realize you don't already have them in your contacts (which they may not). If you get a text from an unknown number then once you find out who it is add them to your contacts and the next time their name will come up.
How do you know?
You ask an unknown who they are and build your contact list.
Once you have the names/numbers in there, you will know who's texting you.
Most contacts lists will have a way to group them - family, friends, school, doctors, business, etc.
Yes, your list will get bigger. It might be a little annoying at first, but it won't be long before it's just one or two people here or there.
When we had a birthday party for our son, I added everyone who called or texted me. I figure these are the parents of the kids in my son's grade. Really, what are the chances having these numbers saved WON'T come in handy in the future?
heh. i'm much like you.
i got a 'happy new year' text from a number, with no name attached. at that point of the holidays i was so burnt out i just replied 'thanks, hon.'
and left it at that.
:) khairete
S.
Now this is just my world but when I get someone's new number it is added to my contacts and they do the same. Problem solved.
Thing is though, are you expecting so many people to meet you in any given day that you can't figure out who it is? I have got texts from teachers saying the meeting has been moved to whatever. I really didn't have sooo many meetings that day that I couldn't figure out it was a teacher.
So no, don't give my name, don't expect a name and if it got to me I would just pay the extra three bucks and add caller id.
Add your FB friends to your contacts...
just some thoughts I have, and I'm not picking on you just explaining where I am coming from.
first I agree people should give a name.
lol I just RSVPed GASP to a party through text and used my name and my kiddos name.
but I guess I"ve never had that many new people text me around the same time. that I couldn't figure it out by context. like 'can you pick the kids up from soccer?'' oho that must be jen I was talking to earlier about sharing rides.
I guess met me at 3 is a little vague but if you know where and when can't you figure out who?
you must be a busy lady. good luck w the texting I do wish people were more thoughtful.
