---
title: Quick Communication Preferences
description: Boomers prefer face-to-face communication. Gen Z likes quicker, text messages. Phone calls and emails rank low in preference for most.
image: https://24436582.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24436582/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Person%20happily%20receiving%20too%20many%20text%20messages%20where%20the%20person%20looks%20like%20a%20piece%20of%20folded%20origami.jpeg
---

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 November 27, 2024

# Quick Communication Preferences

![Picture of Chris Podehl](https://24436582.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/24436582/hubfs/Pic.jpg?width=50&name=Pic.jpg) By  [Chris Podehl](https://mcqueenanalytics.com/blog/author/chris-podehl)  ·   1 minute read

## Text messaging speed is king 👑**![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXevYDabzzup16VWoSGA7GoUFhLOZtE4aCuXNF4dikXdzxdtW0oPxvvQdaFPqQVQjmEVDLGeybc8bUDvEdoyga8aPVofagil8supsM7SPQSpVQmgnfcapMEvzPAURaZwLpRtwhqgazvRG-M8wbLg3pmFwvf5?key=js3g9SPmSgDVPAiRkC5QHg)**

Across generations, the text message is typically the go-to method today for quick questions, fast comments, and short notes. 46% of Gen X, 42% of Millennials, and 39% of Boomers prefer it over other modes of communication.

Interestingly, only 25% of Gen Z preferred the text message, however 32% said that a phone call was preferred for those quick exchanges. 

[![Download PDF](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/24436582/interactive-182498415025.png)](https://mcqueenanalytics.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJ2FMy36Eu7zZc6FxytuIlBICz0eSkypwV1I5B2enWfHoqZ3HOi7MkheCseW3StwjrrCXvKdRQWcEPDWUJ92wm%2FZfDvsvY1MIhgDC4uN5QmVRuG1gfemF2gwjI5ze5QQMla3NiQJYlDALLO6YuTo%2Fg8ovrdqReoT2sn8Md%2FUbfeZ4PqflUuBZRnPG6trotLUh8NYuqfO12LyYu0tc97n0SQ2TZ9LV3QuuDkZsWtH4PieLGAhZ7m88Pn3xgWloyZ60FBynKv4tIIHIsXfWBA0g2%2FcrQWKTYzeOnRMUI%3D&webInteractiveContentId=182498415025&portalId=24436582)

### Younger Generations lean toward non-verbal forms to communicate

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcXWT2u6tJo1yh6xtTNUx3XEH_cpx-PTBQdYDH2YWkZ6NTz36LSpC1oMAsS-EwbQkIFgEx43PFCcWuW0yAsZS2jUQ06yKhPB7yAfDBPmqSoJdZPqyulgAJfcfqj3TJM8hJnF96Nc0jLQj9XkI19_1RONHQ?key=js3g9SPmSgDVPAiRkC5QHg)

Each generation progressively prefers nonverbal communication (text, email) as they get younger. Older generations still have a leaning for phone calls and in-person for those quick exchanges.

### Digital, but slower

If flipping to the least preferred methods to communicate a quick note, most shun the email or phone call.

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXf2ULNMzFCB4-wEAxlY3jJKxIM-3y2jZVIk0x7ixKIO7aYfPFi3Bjxh-73U9dwg5gZ5Z_NczqFbkW22w6JICGkckPsMhDM5Qucw35dNXySUjNzIwiwcYPTdz5UbKiBelcoEfh5yy64oZ7rX2Er-U0nUYIU?key=js3g9SPmSgDVPAiRkC5QHg)

Younger generations did not like to pick up the phone for quick convos with 36% of Gen Z and 30% of Millennials not preferring to call. However, it was Gen X and Boomers that were least likely to email their quick questions.

### In-person quick exchanges hang in the middle

While the post-pandemic world has changed much, being in-person has some favor (11-18% for all generations) with almost equal disfavor for all (14-20%). While possible to utilize voice, body language, and vocabulary in-person for a more holistic message, still many don't want to invest that time into shorter communiqués. 

Awareness is next. Each generation knows where they excel and where they fall short when finally crossing those generational lines.

Want to read the full report on [the Generation Divide](https://mcqueenanalytics.com/blog/communication-fullreport)?

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## Related posts

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[Communication Preferences](https://mcqueenanalytics.com/blog/tag/communication-preferences)

### [Communication across today's generations](https://mcqueenanalytics.com/blog/communication-across-generations)

[![](https://24436582.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24436582/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%203%20people%20of%20white%2c%20black%2c%20and%20Asian%20races%20celebrating%20and%20victorious-1.jpeg)](https://mcqueenanalytics.com/blog/brand-believers)

[Customer Equity](https://mcqueenanalytics.com/blog/tag/customer-equity)

### [Brand Believers - The Core of the Brand](https://mcqueenanalytics.com/blog/brand-believers)

[![Two different customers peer into a crystal ball to see what may be next for the Brand](https://24436582.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24436582/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Show%20an%20image%20of%202%20people%20a%20black%20woman%20looking%20excited%20and%20a%20white%20man%20looking%20away%20in%20disgust%20in%20front%20of%20a%20large%20crystal%20ball%20with%20an%20ethereal%20ligh.jpeg)](https://mcqueenanalytics.com/blog/brand-momentum)

[Customer Equity](https://mcqueenanalytics.com/blog/tag/customer-equity)

### [The Brand Crystal Ball - Momentum](https://mcqueenanalytics.com/blog/brand-momentum)

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