In its latest representative survey1, Yettel looked at how Hungarians stay in touch. When something’s urgent, the phone still comes first: 8 out of 10 people automatically choose to make a call. For more complex topics, the choice is less obvious: about two-thirds of those over 54 still tend to call, while among under-26s it’s only about half of respondents – and one out of four young people would rather sort it out via messaging.
There’s also a clear divide when it comes to personal and work meetings: those younger than 26 tend to send messages, while people in other age groups are more likely to pick up the phone. “Happy birthday” calls have largely moved online: about half of Hungarians send a message, and only one out of four makes a call. And apart from urgent situations, younger people are increasingly avoiding calls, preferring written communication instead.
Here’s what Hungarians are annoyed by the most
These differences may be explained by the fact that generations often interpret text messages differently. Conflicts and misunderstandings are more common in written communication than in voice calls. Many also feel they are wasting time having to type things out, and nearly two-thirds have already found themselves needing to explain what they meant in chat.
So, what are people bothered about the most in written communication? Almost everyone is annoyed by spelling mistakes (84%), but too many emojis (70%) and missing punctuation (75%) are also frustrating. The latter bothers Gen Z less, while only about one in four or five people in older age are not annoyed. Too many emojis irritate men more than women (78% vs 62%).
Threatening likes, passive-aggressive emojis
According to Yettel’s research, the use of emojis remains a common source of conflict. More than half of Hungarians are reluctant to use certain emojis because their meaning is ambiguous, and 43% of them have already had a problem understanding the meaning of an emoji.
The research also looked at how generations relate to the most popular emojis. One of the most divisive emojis remains “like” (thumbs-up). While 7 out of 10 Hungarians still use it, this drops to just 4 out of 10 among Gen Z. The gap may be explained by the fact that more than a third of younger users find the symbol irritating, whereas people over 45 are generally not bothered by it at all. Women also tend to be more annoyed by the thumbs-up than men.
The smiling face emoji is similarly divisive. While nearly half of those under 26 use it, it’s even more common among people over 36. About a third of those in the youngest age group believe its meaning is often misunderstood, a concern that doesn’t come up at all among those over 45. The “crying with laughter” emoji is also popular, while the plain crying face is used more by women (71%) than men (46%) which reinforces stereotypes. There are also a few emojis that are used almost exclusively in young adults’ communication – like the skull, the knife, and the clown.
The survey also looked at how different age groups interpret these symbols. While 80% of people over 45 see the thumbs-up as a positive sign, less than half of those under 26 feel the same way. By contrast, a third of younger users see the classic smiling face as more negative, while almost no one over 45 uses it that way. The knife emoji is interpreted negatively by most (69%), whereas the “crying with laughter” emoji is seen as positive by a similar ratio (70%). Compared to older users, young people are also more likely to use the clown emoji with a negative connotation.
“Today, even a smiley, a like, or something as simple as a full stop at the end of a sentence can carry its own meaning in digital communication, and that meaning can be interpreted widely across generations and individuals. Our nationwide research shows that the significance we attach to a single character or emoji has grown, but the intended message behind it is often misread. In situations like this, a phone call can convey far more information: tone of voice, reactions, and emotional nuances all help prevent misunderstandings,” said Judit Tőzsér, Corporate Communications Director at Yettel.
The survey therefore highlights that phone calls can often be a more effective alternative to written messaging, especially when discussing more complex or sensitive topics. In response to the findings of the research and everyday communication challenges, Yettel is now introducing a proposition designed to make voice-based communication easier in situations where written messages can be misunderstood. With selected plans, customers can enjoy six months of free, unlimited domestic calls. Full details of the relevant offers are available on Yettel’s website until 30 June 2026: https://www.yettel.hu/prime-tarifa
1The survey was conducted online between 9 and 13 April 2026, on a sample of 800 respondents. The sample is representative of Hungary’s population aged 16 to 65 by age, gender, region and type of settlement. (Impetus Research)