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Is he wrong to prefer talking over texting?

DEAR ABBY: I recently exchanged pleasantries via email and text messaging with a lady I met on a website. One day later, I received a message from her stating that she'd prefer our method of communication be kept to email and texting because she wasn't much of a phone talker.

DEAR ABBY: I recently exchanged pleasantries via email and text messaging with a lady I met on a website. One day later, I received a message from her stating that she'd prefer our method of communication be kept to email and texting because she wasn't much of a phone talker.

Over the past few months, I have been out a number of times with other women who also expressed their preference to keep communication limited to email and texting.

Is this becoming common? I may be old-fashioned because I feel interpersonal relationships - especially initially - should include the element of voice inflection. Am I wrong?

- Wants to Talk in Reno

DEAR WANTS TO TALK: I don't think you are wrong, and I happen to agree with you. I, too, usually learn more from a spoken conversation than from an email or text because I can distinguish whether the person is joking or being serious.

But you and I are becoming the minority. Today many younger people feel more comfortable communicating online - at least initially.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are approaching our 25th anniversary. We don't have a lot of money to spend on a large party (our sons are 14 and 17). Are there inexpensive solutions? I'd prefer not to have it at our house.

- Stumped in Georgia

DEAR STUMPED: Because you don't want to entertain at your home, consider holding the celebration at a park, limiting the guest list and making it a potluck.