I have been talking to my Leadership classes about different forms of communication and I have found some things very interesting. Most of what I found interesting has to do with written communication - as in - handwritten. My students didn't even think of this one. They listed IM, chat, texting, cell phones, MySpace, Facebook, picture chat, etc - but nope, no good 'ol handwritten communication.
Has this form of communication had it's turn? Is it obsolete? When was the last time you received a hand-written letter? When was the last time you wrote one? I have one friend that I hand-write letters to - he doesn't have email though. I also will send cards with a little hand-written note in it.
I asked my students how many of them enjoyed getting mail and they all rose their hands. I too enjoy getting what I call real mail - not junk or bills - but actual mail.
I also find, at least in my life, that face to face conversation has gone by the wayside. I communicate more with my husband and friends by email, phone, and texting than face to face. I've even fallen into the trap of accidently hurting a friends feelings because she didn't know my text was sarcastic, something that she would've easily been able to tell had we been face to face.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Thoughts for Thursday
Posted by Michelle at 7:18 PM
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7 comments:
Oh I know, I sometime miss a good old letter. Do they still pass notes? I may have to ask my stepson, who is so worried about MSNing. I think a lot of sarcasm is lost in any nonverbal communication. I love stationary, but stopped buying it because who writes letters anymore. Maybe I'll have to get some back out.
I love getting "old fashioned" mail. I do have one friend with whom we write letters back and forth (she also does not have email) and I love to send people cards for occasions and especially just because. People seem genuinely surprised and touched when you take the time to write something down and send it or leave it for them; it's so rare these days.
A fellow blogger and I have set our daughters up to be pen pals so they can experience some of that writing back and forth and the fun of getting 'real mail'!!
The only time that I write good old fashioned letters is for formal communication. I probably haven't written one informally since the days of having a childhood penpal.
i love getting real mail! my mom sends me things in the mail quite a bit. sometimes i will surprise a friend or family member and put a card together and write them a little note.
i send out a lot of letters during the day for my job, but i do agree - technology is taking a chokehold on our 'older' forms of communication.
interesting topic!
I love a good handwritten letter, and you're right they have almost become non-existent! I need to take the time to write more letters to friends. I am like you and email, IM, etc way more than I ever used to. I still try to handwrite a message in my cards that I make and send.
I used to have a penpal in grade school...we still keep in touch today...through email ;)
I too love getting "snail mail" - its so much more fun than bills and the typed word. Its personal and someone has taken time to write to you. I have a pen friend who I met on holiday when we were just 4 years old. We have been writing to each other ever since. In the last year though we've started emailing!! I'm going to tell her I'm not emailing anymore!
Isn't it strange! We talk a lot about this in my technology class. Your students generation is known as the "digital youth". Now a days kids communicate through myspace and texting. Its so strange how things change! We're getting old!
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