DO U LIKE ME? TXT 1, 4 YES; 2, 4 NO
If you can decipher that message, you may have a better chance for romance this Valentine's Day. According to AT&T;'s new survey, short, to the point, and sometimes discreet love notes aren't just for candy hearts anymore. Now they're sweetening up wireless text messaging between cell phones. Thirty-three percent of people surveyed say they communicate with their date or mate via text messaging in 2007, an increase of six percentage points from last year. Twenty-eight percent of users also report using text messaging to flirt. Looks like Cupid has tapped into the text messaging craze.
For the fourth year, Cingular Wireless, part of the new AT&T;, has commissioned a survey of adult cell phone users to determine how cell phones have affected their romantic lives. The survey was conducted in January 2007 by ICR (International Communications Research) among 1,006 wireless users and reveals that SMS and MMS-based communication between partners is on the rise.
"Text messaging has become part of the social fabric of dating in America," said Jennifer Bowcock, director of consumer public relations for Cingular Wireless, the new AT&T.; "People can text one another to make plans or even say 'I love you' when they may not have the time or ability to make a voice call. It is definitely a discreet and simple way to stay connected."
Also significant in the survey results, 59 percent of active daters use text messaging to communicate with their dates, while only 30 percent of those who are married, in a committed relationship or not dating do the same with their partners.
Need a little help bringing the romance? AT&T; has some suggestions to help you out this Valentine's Day:
- Text messages allow you to let your loved one know you are thinking about them, even if you're at work or a public place where a voice call isn't appropriate. Say I LOVE U or HEY CU T whenever the mood strikes.
- Consider using your camera phone to snap a picture of a vase of fresh flowers or a hand-made heart drawn on paper and then use multimedia messaging to send the romantic image to your sweetheart. If you want to add a little heat to the fire, tap out a love note to include with the photo using text messaging. That's sure to make even Cupid smile.
- Ready to take your love to the next level? Show your favorite guy or girl that you've set their picture as your phone screen's background.
- If you are expecting a call during a date, let your date know in advance that you might have to take it, that way he or she won't take you out with the trash.
- Lastly, always be sensible and remember that a dinner or movie date is no place for a ringing phone if you want to live happily ever after.
If you need a little more help, check out the AT&T; press release for details on how to bring a little more heart to your cell phone use this month.
