Sandy Supposes....

Real Face-Time

PROMPT: "95% of people text things they could never say in person"...Do you believe or do this? How do you handle awkward conversations; letter, e-mail, or phone?

          It's finally happened; I've reached the age when I will actually swear that I did and do things 'old school'. Is it possible that I'm now mature enough to remember one-on-one, face-to-face interaction? Yes, Joe and Jane Citizen, there was life before cell phones and computers. Once upon a time, people communicated via real face-time; they spoke to each other in real time, in the same space, breathing the same oxygen, hearing the same noises, seeing the same sights. Instant messaging didn't mean stroking keyboards. Emotions were not conveyed by emoticons or emojis; conversants gauged reactions and exhibited feelings by smiling, frowning, weeping, ranting, laughing. Communication was far more personal.

          I cannot fathom dealing with important relationship issues from a distance. Granted there are exceptions when people are physically separated because of geography. Keeping in touch via phone calls and letters is still an attempt to maintain a bond, but this is usually temporary. Devastating news should still be delivered in person. This reflects respect.

         Communication is not always easy. Ideas may be lost in translation. Misunderstandings are possible. Intentions may be misconstrued. At least when efforts are made in person, there are body language, facial expressions, and voice inflections to decipher. A message sent and received by computer or cell phone is just a series of words. Too many instant-messengers use slang, short forms of letters instead of words, poor grammar, and terrible spelling. No wonder there is miscommunication! There is also a terrible demon known as auto-correct!!! Too many senders never stop to read their own messages; proof-reading could save them a lot of grief. Recently, during a family vacation in Florida, my youngest daughter texted her boyfriend back home in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He received this message from her: "The dudes here in Florida are awesome!!!" At the time she sent this she was enjoying the thrilling 'rides' at Universal Studios.

         The trouble with texts and the like is that you never really know who typed the message. There is no handwriting script or flair to identify.