There is no doubt at all that the power of the social media is taking away the art of conversation. We find it easier and quicker to send a Whatsapp or SMS to confirm a meeting or relay a piece of news. We send an audio to contact a friend who may not be available to talk. Speaking recently to a teenager, it became apparent that she had lost the ability to have a phone conversation. She told me that when she answered the phone at home, she was only able to utter the following: Hello, Yes, hold on, I’ll get her now, Goodbye. She was not able to connect or even banter with the person she knew! I asked her when was the last time she had phoned a friend and she told me she couldn’t remember! She is only sixteen years old and has lost the ability to communicate verbally. That does not bode well for her future.
We see that landlines are now becoming obsolete. Nobody rings them anymore and their only use is to connect to the internet via the router. We don’t need to pay for a phone call anymore as phone apps such as Whatsapp, Viber and Skype are free. Unquestionably, Whatsapping is above all the preferred method of communication as we witness the fasttest fingers in action in the canteen, in the waiting room, in the airport, in the restaurants and even whilst driving the car!
This brings us to the fundamental question: How can we get talking again? Taking small steps, we can start by talking to strangers in a bus queue, on a train, in a doctor’s waiting room, or at a boarding gate. People usually respond well to a friendly gesture. It helps break up the tedium of a journey or queue.
We know that talking brings about many benefits, from a greater sense of well-being to friendlier communities and increased opportunities. Think about it-just one conversation can inspire us, reassure us or brighten up our day. Why not try it? You may be surprised at how positive it makes you feel!
Let’s get talking again!