This summer, I am taking it upon myself to assist people in exploring ways to communicate. This is going to be much easier than you might imagine. I have something to tell each and every one of you: That invention that you use to type text messages can also be used to make phone calls!
I cannot tell you how many conversations I have had in the last few weeks with people who are sick and tired of people sending them nothing but text messages. For people under 30, I am going to sound like an old man, but here it goes: If you want to tell someone something important, you can actually pick up the phone and call them to speak to them and make sure that they understand you correctly. I know that this may sound crazy, but some people out there do not even have text messaging on their phones, so when you think you are communicating with them, you are not.
Last week I was at a party where a friend was telling me that during a recent family emergency, her family members sent her urgent text messages telling her to rush to the hospital. But guess what? She has never had text messaging on her phone. Her family had no response when she later asked, "Why didn't you simply call me to tell me about the emergency?" They were embarrassed to admit that none of them had even thought of actually dialing her number and speaking with her.
What is happening to our society? Are we becoming so programmed into the latest technology that our common sense and intelligence is disappearing?
One of the clients I work with in my matchmaking business made a couple of statements recently that I would like to share with you. The first statement he made was that he will never ask someone out on a date via text. I agree with him when he says that this is one of the coldest, most impersonal ways to communicate with someone. The second statement he made was even sweeter. He told me, "When I pick up the phone to chat with someone, I feel like I am visiting with them." What a novel idea to make someone feel special and actually hear their voice.
To this I say, "Amen!" You would not believe how well you can communicate when you actually pick up the phone to speak with someone. How many times have you read an email and asked yourself, "What the hell is this person saying?" Forget about all the text lingo and shortened words that people use. How many times have you meant something one way and it has been interpreted differently by the person receiving the text? And for those of you who have no clue what some of the text lingo being used is, check this out.
What I am getting at is this: If you want to make sure that what you are saying is communicated correctly, pick up the phone. And in today's dating world, if you want to make someone feel special, try speaking to them instead of sending them a text. You will be surprised by how many people will say, "Thanks for the call. It was great hearing from you."
For all of you out there who think I am crazy for telling you to pick up the phone and actually speak to someone, I have this to say: HAND, ATB, KC, T+, TTFN. For those of you who are wondering what the hell that means, have a nice day, all the best, keep cool, think positive, and ta-ta for now.
Your favorite matchmaker,
Charlie