It’s 2016. Technology is taking over the world. We grip our phones all day long and can’t imagine ever letting go of it. Most people that I pass walking around are staring down at their phones, usually texting someone. While I love the simple ability to text someone that I’m meeting for lunch that I’m on my way, I sometimes cannot stand texting.

Sure, it’s great having the ability to send a quick picture that reminds you of someone, but texting is overrated and gets old really fast. I prefer talking on the phone with people, even though I know it’s considered old-fashioned (it’s sad that in our day in age, we’re considering the action of picking up a phone and calling someone as old fashioned).

When you call someone, you get to hear their emotions, instead of guessing them. I constantly find myself wondering whether someone is being sarcastic or serious in a text, but when you can hear their expressions, you know exactly what they’re talking about.

Sometimes you need to know an answer right away. So instead of staring at the phone waiting for the blue typing dots to appear, only to disappear again, pick up the phone and ask your friend if you want to grab lunch in 10 minutes. Texting back and forth about plans can get confusing and it’s just easier to say everything you need to say within three minutes.

Sometimes, when you’re super excited or just plain sad, you need to hear someone’s voice. Texting your friends that you got that internship and hearing their voice screaming on the other line for you beats any emoji.

Talking on the phone with your significant other beats any texting conversation. Trust me. You get to hear them laugh, hear how tired they are after they explain how exhausting their day was, you get to hear how giggly they get when you tell them something sweet. The conversation flows better on the phone, and it’s a great detector whether you two can connect and find things to talk about. The best feeling is hanging up the phone and seeing that you just talked on the phone for three hours.

Calling someone is just personal and it shows you

care. It means that you want to hear the emotion in their voice when they tell you about that class they love, and it’s just a respectful gesture. Instead of texting your grandma that you miss her, next time call her and tell her that. It’s a simple extra gesture that will make all the difference.