Unless you’ve lived in isolation, without a mobile phone, you may have heard the term SMS. Also called “texting.” It has become the rage of the 21st century as mobile device users are constantly trying to find novel things to do on their mobile devices. Today we live in a hectic world and more and more people are turning to texting as a way of relating to each other. The dating world is no exception. With the flood of online daters and long distance romances on the rise, SMS or text messages have become a very convenient form of communication. Combine text messages and SMS with emails and instant messaging, you no longer need to talk to anyone to maintain a relationship. Enter the magical world of mobile devices, with all the well-known brands: Samsung, Nokia, LG, Sony-Ericsson and whatever you have.

SMS and text messages are known for their brevity. Something like “Mt me @ 9PM, R spt” or “IM @ 11 ??” you can change your entire routine in a few seconds. No need for 2 calls, lengthy emails, or confusion over detailed exchanges. In fact, texting is a 13 for people with 7 lives who literally need to set aside time for each other.

How widespread is SMS for appointments? Mobile phone companies are making it more available to their consumers, because every SMS sent literally means cash in your pocket. Cingular Wireless recently conducted a survey to find out whether cell phones and SMS had in fact influenced their customers’ romantic relationships. Their findings proved that SMS is indeed the new dating tool of the 21st century:

* 38% of users said that one of their dates had responded to text messages sent during a dinner conversation. Of that 38%, 31% admitted to having done the same.

* 10% of users have texted someone outside of their lives. This makes the “Post-It Note” episode of Sex and the City seem harmonious.

* 17% have sent text messages to get out of an awkward date.

* 12% used text message news reports as a topic of conversation with their date or partner.

* 8% said a relationship ended due to offensive texting behavior.

* 28% would rather text their partner than engage in a long conversation.

* 5% have used their mobile phone to text another love interest during a date with someone else. 7% said they suspected their date was doing the same.

* 6% say they judge others by the way they text

* 59% of daily daters use text messages to communicate with their dates, and 30% of married couples do the same with their spouses.

It just goes to show that SMS and texting are not only more prevalent in the dating world, it seems almost a requirement nowadays. Go ahead and reach out and text someone. That’s what mobile telephony is all about.