Because Of Gadgets Do You Speak Less Face-To-Face?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
November 20, 2012 10:54am CST
I was saying on another discussion of mine that I reckon speech will become obsolete in time. We shall go backwards in our evolution and stop talking altogether.
What do you reckon?
Do your family communicate VERBALLY or are they all on their Smartphones so they feel they don't have to - or WANT to speak?
Thank God my nephew isn't into gadgets. I don't think his Nan could stand it if he came round and played with his phone instead of chatting to her. Mind you, his Dad doesn't speak very often and he doesn't have any gadgets either!
What do you reckon?
Do your family communicate VERBALLY or are they all on their Smartphones so they feel they don't have to - or WANT to speak?
Thank God my nephew isn't into gadgets. I don't think his Nan could stand it if he came round and played with his phone instead of chatting to her. Mind you, his Dad doesn't speak very often and he doesn't have any gadgets either!9 responses
@allknowing (130064)
• India
20 Nov 12
It looks like all of us are becoming aware of this rather disturbing trend. I do agree though that there are those that do not need gadgets to stay away from people!
I am all out now to change things for me. Just yesterday I visited a friend. We phoned each other every single day.I told her that I will not phone her again but that we shall visit each other atleast once a month. This is the beginning of the new trend that I wish to follow.
I am all out now to change things for me. Just yesterday I visited a friend. We phoned each other every single day.I told her that I will not phone her again but that we shall visit each other atleast once a month. This is the beginning of the new trend that I wish to follow.
@allknowing (130064)
• India
21 Nov 12
I used to be very active on FB and took the trouble to post pictures which so many had not seen before. There was appreciation from all quarters and even this is not seen much now. There are times when I do not get even a 'like'.Soon for me FB will history!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
I really think FB is a waste of everyone's time. I cancelled my account a long time ago now and have never regretted it. In fact, it's quite liberating. Mum is under pressure all the time at work 'to join Facebook' but she doesn't have a Smartphone, she doesn't own a computer, so she couldn't join anyway..and why do they pester her so? It's pathetic the looks we all get for NOT being on Facebook and really it should be the other way round, don't you think?
Mum is under pressure all the time at work 'to join Facebook' but she doesn't have a Smartphone, she doesn't own a computer, so she couldn't join anyway..and why do they pester her so? It's pathetic the looks we all get for NOT being on Facebook and really it should be the other way round, don't you think?@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
Many years ago I used to go round to see my friend, Alison on a Wednesday night, if memory serves. For some strange reason it wouldn't take much for me to make her laugh, which was great as she nearly always had 'problems with Kevin' as she put it.
What you're doing is actually rare now and I think it's brilliant.
@nitinnair89 (2900)
• India
20 Nov 12
I am a victim of this and i really feel bad about it. i feel comfortable to text or to mail and have a conversation rather than going for a face to face talk with that person and so i am a little slow in making new friends. but i am faster making friends online.
@passion4fassion (996)
• Philippines
20 Nov 12
yes i agree i am like that too but my mom keep telling me make friends real friends not online friends someone will hang out with you but i keep telling im busy working so i rather talk to my online friends 
@nitinnair89 (2900)
• India
20 Nov 12
Cool. My mom is not that educated so even if i am online she think i am texting someone :(
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 Nov 12
Whether you are texting or online they amount to the same thing..you're not actually physically talking to anybody. I think that's what your Mum is (probably) worried about. I'm with her on this one lol.
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
21 Nov 12
My sister lives in Tennessee. She has moved our mother's brother to the area and talked a first cousin to move there as well. I told her that I suspect she'd like us all to move there... She laughed and said I had figured out her plan!
Still, I can talk to my sister about a lot of things. I could talk to my mother about those same things. With my brother I have to be more careful - he thinks he knows everything!
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
20 Nov 12
I use Skype to talk to family and friends. It's as close to face to face as I can get with some of them. I also use my cell to keep in touch with tons of friends. I love the technology. 30-40 years ago it cost a fortune to call long distance. That was assuming you could get through.
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
21 Nov 12
@passion4fassion I'm the one who left my country of birth. Before Skype I would buy a phone card every week or two. It cost a fortune. Of course I didn't have a home phone then. Now calling long distance is much cheaper than 10 years ago, but I prefer to Skype so I can see the person.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 Nov 12
I agree that Skype is a brilliant innovation and saves a fortune on the equivalent long-distance telephone calls.
1 person likes this
@passion4fassion (996)
• Philippines
20 Nov 12
yes its true i do as well one of my family member live in other country and it cost fortune calling everyday now theirs online chat or video chat its easy and you can save money
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215480)
• Chile
21 Nov 12
I think that there are several reasons why people speak less face-to-face. It seems that time has grown scarce. I love to invite friends for diner, but their work usually mean a long trip to get to their jobs so they are tired during the week days. Then there are many things to do at home on weekends so it`s difficult to have a gathering of any kind. Gadget sometimes hinder communication, but other times it`s the only way you can have any sort of chat.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
That's true enough. If I'd kept in close contact with my friends from the place I used to live then I'm sure I'd be on Facebook and all those other modes of communication with them now.
As it is I've no idea where any of them are or - indeed - if they're married like me. This is my fault for not keeping in touch, I realise that now. I'm also upset that my Mum seems to rely on me as a 'friend' and I wish she wouldn't sometimes. That may sound harsh but I live 100 miles away so cannot 'be there 24/7' as she would like me to be.
She's a friendly person so I don't know why she's so reluctant to buy a laptop to open up her world a little bit.
Dad's a waste of time. He's in his own little bubble as well so isn't really aware of how lonely Mum gets at times...but there again it's up to them to sort out isn't it?
@changjiangzhibin89 (16533)
• China
22 Nov 12
There is something in what you said.As technology advances,people have less and less cordial conversation where they fix their eyes on each other and talk in a kindly fashion and communicate with each other with their fingers on internet or their smartphones instead.What a dull talk it is!I guess this is just why mylot provides us with code-emoticon.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 12
I couldn't live without the emoticons lol.
I know what you mean, though. I'm actually dreading going to our friend's house-warming party on Saturday night because the last time we saw her the Smartphones weren't really around.
It's been a long time.
If the guests start looking at their phones I'm bound to say something, especially after a drink or three!
I know what you mean, though. I'm actually dreading going to our friend's house-warming party on Saturday night because the last time we saw her the Smartphones weren't really around.
It's been a long time.
If the guests start looking at their phones I'm bound to say something, especially after a drink or three!@changjiangzhibin89 (16533)
• China
25 Nov 12
How annoying!,Some are obsessed by smartphone without so much as paying attention to table manners.
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
20 Nov 12
Hubby and I do not have smartphones, so we still speak. Son has one but he will speak to us, so I guess we are safe.
@Youreyes4Today (2356)
• United States
20 Nov 12
Actually it is the opposite for my family and I communicating. Before we might of called or talked once a year if that. Since we all are members of a social network, I/we communicate more often. Able to know more that is going on with nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts n uncles. I do not live close to them so this is nice for me.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
I agree the internet is brilliant for bringing families that live far apart together. Good for you!
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
20 Nov 12
It does seem that way, doesn't it? I saw something on the news a few months back about young people not having any social skills cause they never talk anymore. They just text in the text language they have like u for you and cuz for cause or because. I say cause a lot for because.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 Nov 12
When I had a mobile phone (not anymore) texting was my way of communicating along with ringing someone up (fancy that) lol. I only used the shortened words in order to save money but once I had a contract that allowed so many texts for free I'd type words like 'you' out in full. Just for the hell of it.
