What is your primary way of communicating?

@hdjohnson (2981)
United States
November 8, 2008 12:39pm CST
On my job, I prefer to communicate in writing, this prevents any and all misunderstandings and also provides a record of what was said between two parties. I generally tend to carry that same method of operating over into my personal life as well. My wife is a verbal communicator and written one. She generally likes to be told information, and important things she likes for it to be in writing. Even if a person has told me verbally, I still prefer for them to send it to me in writing and my general rule of thumb on my job is, "if it's not in writing it wasn't said, and never took place." Do you think I'm too extreme about having things in writing? I mean afterall, people can't just say they are married and wear wedding rings. It must be a written document somewhere that states just that? How about you, do you prefer verbal or written communication? Thanks in advance for responding.
2 people like this
4 responses
@goldeneagle (6745)
• United States
8 Nov 08
I prefer emails or text messages...I hate talking on the phone...and writing letters the old-fashioned way takes too long. Of course, if I DID write a letter, I would probably pay extra to send it UPS or FED-EX. Sending it through the USPS will lessen the chances of the person even receiving it at all, and will surely take longer. It took the Postal Service 14 DAYS to get a small package from someone in Myrtle Beach, SC, to me here in Pensacola, FL. The person was about to go claim the insurance he had on the contents. I could have probably ridden my bicycle to SC and got it and been back here in 14 days. Were they bringing in by horse and wagon? LOL Typical government behavior...higher postage with slower service. Shouldn't higher postage mean that it gets there sooner?
2 people like this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
9 Nov 08
Subtle nuances and intentions are hard to detect in writing. While I love writing, I feel that face to face conversation is best if you need to get your point across. As a manager, it would probably make sense to have certain things in writing just to insure that things are documented. People can't plead ignorance when it's in black and white.
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
10 Nov 08
They definitely find some way to come up with selective amnesia when it comes to just talking to them. I agree that documenting on the job is a much needed and very necessary way of ensuring your point is made, and it covers you in the end. I guess it does depend upon the person doing the writing, regarding it being difficult to know and understand exactly what they meant to write. I've taken several training classes and courses on communication, so I tend to communicate my best in written form verses verbal. Plus I believe the person you are talking with should definitely understand your way of communicating and agree to proceed with conversing with you in that manner as well. Overall AGREEMENT is key.
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
10 Nov 08
I agree about agreement............hahaha. I feel the problem comes in, when we can't read a person's emotions through writing. I have seen that happen here. I was joking around here and a person totally did not comprehend that. I have also had e-mail communication with a friend recently and she really thought that I was mad at her. Those are the types of things I was referring to. I appreciate your discussion topics, by the way.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
10 Nov 08
Emailing, talking on the telephone and writing letters will usually help me. I love to use all of these means of communication. It is very effective in communicating. I sometimes do chat, but that is every blue moon or so..
• Philippines
13 Nov 08
same with hdjohnson..i prefer writings to communicate...It's better to put everything in writing because i noticed non verbal system always end up poor product of communication. There comes a time when misunderstanding occur due to non verbal communication, that is why it's a good thing to place everthing in writing with signatures and date as the most important.