When will texting become acceptable professionally?

Just got one from my dentist earlier today...

I get text reminders for dentist appointments and HVAC service appointments.

When shots or due, or to remind me of an appointment. They asked me first, and I told them I'd prefer texting instead of a phone call. So to answer your question - I believe it already is and will become more popular over time.

Sorry, couldn't resist!
[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]

I'll see what you have to say but I don't really want to talk to you.

My doctor sends texts and my old boss used to send one liners about vital job related info.

I love it.

I suspect my doctor will within 1-2 years. Vet doesn't, but they're barely to win 95 in their computers.

My bank can text me my balance daily, and a few other opt in services.

I'm pretty sure I can opt in with my credit cards for some notifications.

It's way better than email, they do not usually read their incoming emails, but they open up texts and they are always in meetings so voicemail/calls is not an option

Getting a text when, say, a prescription is ready, or to remind you of an appointment or whatever is quicker and easier than having to either answer a call or check a voicemail.

I don't have or want a cell phone and would hate if this becomes mainstream, because then I'd be forced to get one.

I fear even more if social media becomes the de facto mode of communication, with texting second -- and land lines and postal mail phased out like rotary dials and pay phones.

NB: I'm 18 and way behind my generation in terms of embracing new technologies. I don't even have an email address. Already they're talking about phasing out car keys in favor of some sort of Bluetooth authentication with your iPhone or something. That would leave me SOL in terms of driving if my car ever dies and I'm forced to get the Applemobile.

People still fax?

and that you would prefer to do that instead of getting an email.

I am tech impaired and I still don't get this.

because of HIPAA concerns, so there are limitations.

My cell phone has the capability but I never set it up and there's only about 10 people that have that number.
I don't give my cell number out to anyone.

from the doctor, kid's orthodontist, dentist, lots of places.

Right now, automated texts from businesses are opt-in only. When sending an important message, you have to feel confident that the recipient will read it. There are still a lot of people (mainly older people) who either can't or don't text and don't notice incoming texts. Also, if you have ADHD or a lot going on, you might hear the text notification and forget to check it. Once those potential weaknesses are addressed, more businesses might use texting. For now, it's too risky and could result in a lot of misunderstandings and missed appointments.

Slowly teaching everyone that if they want to communicate with me it is email or text. If you leave a voicemail, especially a minute long ramble, you are an asshole.

If it were okay, I'd even say not to leave a message in my greeting.

Luckily my generation seems to get it. And I use texts for work all the time.

If it's your private phone, you can do that; if it's your employer's phone and they want you to accept voicemail, then it doesn't matter what you want. And saying "Luckily my generation seems to get it" is really a pretty nasty comment.

And that does not look good. (I do get a subsidy to help pay my bill).

As for my generation getting it, well there has been Buzzfeed quizzes on 'should i leave a voicemail' and much has been written about it. I think the difference between cell phones and landlines (the latter of which I last had when I lived with my parents) is that you can see a missed call on a cell. If I see my BFF calls me, I will return the call and there's no need to leave a message. In the days of landlines, you would not see the missed call. I do not need to hear "Hi Caroline this is XYZ, call me back" when a missed call says the same thing. If XYZ knew me well enough, he/she would text me the message instead.

On my old phone, my greeting said to leave a text first, but the greeting I have now is the generic Sprint greeting.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/joannaborns/voicemails-bad#4alper3 (the comments in the article show a generational divide).

http://gawker.com/5989952/modern-mobile-etiquette-dont-leave-me-a-voicemail-unless-youre-dying/all

The only times I personally leave voicemail are if I'm calling a landline, someone that does not text, or someone over 60. I text most work related business. It's a matter of know your audience.

ETA I will leave a voicemail if it is my first time calling said person and they would not know my #.

but have left the option on my phone because not everyone I know communicates in the same way.

At work, my bosses at my current and previous jobs texted if they needed anything.

Maybe when device coverage is 100% nationwide and reliable.

I get consistent appointment reminders via txt (borders on stalking ) from my Dentist. Chase texts me all the time as I get a lot of fraud attempts on my accounts.

In both cases I checked a box on my paperwork saying that was an acceptable form of communication for specific items.

despite how much my adult kids and adult nieces and nephews complain to me that I don't.

I do email, which is how my regular doctor now reminds me of appointments. The last time I had an eye appointment earlier this year the reminder was a voicemail.

As long as they don't stop voicemail or email any time soon, it will work out just fine.

And a lot of companies apparently still fax, because every so often when I'm doing some sort of paperwork I'll be asked to fax stuff. I can't do that, but my printer is also a copier and scanner, so I'll scan the paperwork to my computer then send an email with attachment. While I currently opt out of some technologies, I mostly like the ones I do use.

i love it.

I sometimes text with my boss and co-workers.

email reminders about a week before appt and then a text a couple of days before with a request to respond to verify you're planning on being there...

sP

I just got a message today that I'm overdue for a vision checkup.

I also get texts from other places too.