I would be kinda pissed, but at least they did care enough to remember.

I would wonder where their message went since I don't anything that does text messaging.
Lets say it was email... I think that would be fine and dandy, I don't really need to talk to them.

Nothing, some of mine do

It wouldn't bug me. No biggie. I wouldn't think anything of it at all.

I hate when relatives leave birthday songs on the answering machine. Actually, I hate all of my relatives.

I would be surprised, since none of my relatives ever text message me for anything. Very few of them call me on my birthday, either, and two of the four who do call on my birthday don't have cell phones.

Depends. I text message people on their birthday, but then again, they aren't my relatives. I make it a general rule, that if I'm not going to see them, and can't call them, it's the next best thing.

I don't get telephone calls on my birthday. I get cards. If I got a text message, I don't think I'd be too bothered. I remember my old Science teacher complaining about how she got automated e-cards from her brother. He sent them to all his family, just signed up and typed in the dates and whatnot. I think that's mean.

I'd have been happy to receive a text message, as it was only my girlfriend called me. No friends, family or anyone else called. Only my friends here took the time to post "Happy Birthday."

I know we've never properly talked, but:

Thanks, I'm sitting here in Lincoln Nebraska waiting for dispatch to call me with some travel plans.

It's peculiar you don't know where you're going next... I could never do that.

Life of a trucker, or Transportation Specialist, in my case. It's rare that I have any idea what's going on before it happens.

I would be very surprised as I've never been texted by my mom, dad or brother. It would be very unlikely. In fact, my birthday is the only time each year that my mom actually rings me when I'm in Hong Kong. (She calls me when I'm back home but not when I'm in HK.) I would be totally gobsmacked if my father rang because he never does. I'm not sure when he's last called me---it's been years. Even when his parents died, it's always my brother who calls.

You must love driving.

I used to, but now it's too much like work. Where are you?

Manchester, England. It's half ten and I'm a bit sleepy, but it's all good.

I wouldn't mind

'I didn't want to talk to you either!' I'd think it was disrespectful and rude.

I'd think.... aww, he/she remembered my birthday!!!

It wouldn't bother me at all. At least they remembered.

I'd be really surprised, even shocked if I got a text from my sister. Especially considering her opinions as to text messaging.

My relatives know better than to call. I would never want anyone to phone me on my birthday or any other time. Email anytime, or instant message.

It depends on the relative. I'm not a huge talker so wouldn't be a huge deal.

Be disappointed and feel a victim of technology.

My 28 year old daughter in Indiana did this to me. Her excuse was that she was doing a jewelry show and didn't have time to call... I guess it's awkward with her anyhow. I've only seen her 6 or 7 times since she was 5...

I'd thank them for the cell phone they must have given me in order to enable me to receive their greeting.

I would be freaking amazed that they knew how to text message.

I would be shocked, if I get it, let alone read it. I don't do text-messaging and have that feature turned off

My mum did this once - I wasn't too bothered.

I'd be happy that they remembered.

I wouldn't really care actually I'd prefer it.

This is not likely to happen on my birthday in February and i doubt it

> I hate when relatives leave birthday songs on the answering machine.
> Actually, I hate all of my relatives.

No you really do not hate them do you , cannot be all that bad come on at least they try to forget you

Well, i like when they send me money on my birthday. that's kind of nice of them.

> Well, i like when they send me money on my birthday. that's kind of
> nice of them.

Now i would love them for sending money that is the good part and the fun part

Options?
I'd think they were lame.

> 'I didn't want to talk to you either!' I'd think it was disrespectful and rude.

I think I'm the only one who agrees with you so far.

Hmmm....I'm surprised at how many people think it's cool.

I don't understand how it's disrespectful and rude. I think people who extend greetings are doing an unexpected and kind thing. Obliging them to do that on anything other than their own terms seems kind of picky and unappreciative to me.

I wanted a green coat and you got me a blue one.
I wanted a phone call and you sent me a text message.

It is like they are avoiding talking to you or are too lazy to bother actually have a conversation.

I never thought of efficiency as rudeness. Rudeness to me is more like: barging in front of people, interrupting people, saying things that you know will hurt someone's feelings... that sort of stuff. There's a lot of things I don't find the least bit rude, mainly because they don't inconvenience anyone, hurt anyone, or put them out any. It seems like if you really wanted to talk to someone, you would just call them, and not be bothered that they didn't call you, even if it was your birthday.
I think if you see it as 'avoiding' you are probably reading intentions into it.

Me too.... if the person had five minutes to punch out a text, they could have called.

Well then we simply disagree.

i'd think, "where in the world did i get this cell phone from?"

Really surprised since I don't have a cell phone.

When you get to be my age the fact that someone remembered is good enough. I would think for close family members a phone call is probably more appropriate.

I think the reason people are more relaxed about it is because we are more enlightened now about what's important and what isn't. Our expectations are getting closer and closer to real priorities, I'm hoping. I hope society continues to move in this direction, where people don't expect "extended" courtesies from each other, and instead settle for the most important ones; the bare necessities. Younger generations are happy to recieve 'something, anything' rather than nitpicking over what someone 'doesn't' do for them. This is a good thing.

I have a lot of relatives living all over the world and it would be quite natural for them to text me than call me because of the long distance charges.

I'd wonder how they managed it since I don't have a cell phone or any other type of device they could text me on.

I don't have a cell phone, but I wouldn't be mad if they sent me a birthday email.

*shrugs*

If it was one of my nieces or my nephew, it wouldn't surprise me much, they're teenagers. My youngest cousins are in their 30s. That would seem a bit odd. We don't communicate much and I doubt they keep track of my birthday. Text-messaging seems pretty rare among the 25 and older crowd.

It wouldn't shock me much if my girlfriend did it. She's been known to send me little love notes.