Have you ever felt that whatever you say through the internet is taken the wrong way? You try to be helpful or just have your own opinion and because it is not the view of the person you’re talking with, they shut you out or say something in reaction, go on the defensive.
Most of these disagreements or “issues” have happened since this wonderful thing called email/internet was created. In cyberspace you cannot tell the tone of the person you’re talking with. People tend to “read between the lines” or hear something through their own personal filter. The problem is ~ 9 times out of 10 ~ it’s filtered incorrectly. Perception is everything and with electronic communication unfortunately it is one-dimensional. Something that was said as a pure, off the cuff comment, is misconstrued into a derogatory statement or a slam against someone’s personal choice or way of doing something. A complement can be taken the wrong way. A cry for help can sound like whining.
Without actual human interaction ~ it is next to impossible to continue on in our relationships the way they were intended to be. I am thankful for email/internet. People from around the world can “keep in touch”, meet their “soul mates”, and pictures of newborn babies can reach far away grandparents at the speed of light.
This has made life very convenient and yet so complicated at the same time. I’ve met people who hid behind their screens only willing to “deal with something” through the strokes of their keyboard. I’ve heard of people tearing apart friendships because their “take” on an email. People text each other more than they sit across from one another and talk. Misunderstanding, miscommunication, mistrust, misuse… this is not how I want to live my life.
God created life and it was built on relationships. Real – in person – relationships. Don’t send someone an e-mail saying you’re thinking of them ~ pick up the phone and say, “Hi” ~ you’ll be surprised how happy they’ll be! I know I was…
All I can say to that is…Amen!
Okay, so I won’t stop here. The friendship with my best friend ended via an email I had received from her. Not even telling me in person why she thought our friendship was a dead-end street and I was the dead end…Yikes, that hurt, but I respected her choice and I leave it at that…
I think real life communication is important. Especially with family.
Thank you for this wonderful post.
So true. I think we’ve forgotten the “art” of communication. Thanks for reminding me.
I am one of those people who has reacted poorly re:electronic communication!! (you already knew that though;-) We definately need to use the phone or coffee shops more often!! Misunderstandings can be taken care of immediately and everyone stays “cool” afterwards…right? Thanks for the reminder…
there is one commenter on my blog whom every time I read a comment, I feel so defensive! I don’t know why, and I feel a little childish in saying that out loud, so I completely understand this post.
I’m totally with you. I do love to write, and I prefer e-mail to the phone, but there’s nothing that beats a face-to-face conversation. I try to keep it all in balance.
That said, I try to frame my e-mails and comments as positively as I can… because I know the body language (eg. a big smile) is missing. I think emoticons help too. Great post! *-)))
(How did I do?)