Words Mean More When Spoken

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In a time when email and text messages are far more common on a daily basis than phone calls, are people really getting across what they want to say?

I have to admit that I was a late bloomer when it came to texting. I could receive them on my phone but it took way too long to use the number keys to type in the letters of the words that I was trying to spell. I would usually just give up and call.

Finally, I upgraded my dinosaur flip phone for a phone with a quick slide keyboard and I discovered the speed and ease of a text message. I finally knew what everyone else was talking about.

A quick message to my husband inside the store, “I’m in aisle eight!” A note to my friend just before pulling out the garage, “I’m on my way.” It was great.

When I needed information, I could request it from people and then have names and numbers on my phone from their responses. I didn’t even have to write anything down.

I cut down on my daily phone calls by about 50 percent. It was just like email but on my phone. It saved time for sure but as a society, are we too quick to type something that would mean more if spoken?

First of all, the receiver of the message has all the control of the tone of the words. It is way easier to misunderstand what is going on in the conversation if you are relying on written communication over verbal.

Not to mention, there are times when a phone call means much more than a quickly typed message that is thrown together as you wait in line for your coffee.

“So sorry ur BF broke up with u last nite. (sad face) Ur 2 good 4 him anyway.”
Not that I have ever received a message like this but I am sure that it occurs.

When there is really good or really bad news, pick up the phone.

Remember the days before cell phones when you dreaded making the call to cancel a date and then the overwhelming relief that you felt when the answering machine picked up? Yes, you felt terrible but relieved.

And you were considerate, you called. Today, it seems like it is way too easy to cancel dates, dismiss relationships and vanish from emotional situations with some quick typing.

Bottom line, when you write something to another person, there is always the chance that it could be misinterpreted. I think words mean more when spoken.

Edited by Jody Smith

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