In Kristin’s post she brought up the subject of text messaging. I am really happy that she brought up the subject of text messaging, because as she points out it isn't online communication, still it is a written form of communication. I do not chat online as often as I used to in high school, and therefore when reading all of these articles texting is what I refer to in my mind.
This is a personal account of relationships/texting or talking on the phone, but it seems relevant and reading about Alexis and Craig’s relationships started me thinking about the relationships that I have had and how technology has played a role in them.
I was dating a guy that I met in high school for the first year that I was away at college. We talked on the phone for hours each night. I really enjoyed our conversations and it felt like he was close to me even though we obviously couldn't see each other.
Now I am dating someone from college and during the summer it has become somewhat of a long distance relationship. The catch is…he hates talking on the phone. We have never had one phone conversation ever. This was really difficult for me at first (just as writing this blog is). I feel like Alexis when I try and get my points across in written form. “I don’t think I’m anywhere near articulate or poetic enough to put what “I” feel in words” I am very expressive when I speak and I make a lot of facial expressions and I really have a hard time getting my thoughts and more importantly the emotion to come across via text messaging. However the more we talk through text the more I am starting to see the art behind having conversations this way. It is a challenge to keep the conversation meaningful and witty at the same time. It’s also a great way to say “Hi, just wanted to say I’m thinking about you.”
Basically, I’m really torn about whether or not I like talking through text messaging as opposed to over the phone, because as Kristin points out in her post, text messaging is an “impersonal medium.” I am curious about how other people communicate with their significant others, if anyone is comfortable sharing. Does anyone talk on the phone more often than through text messages or is that now what people prefer? Is it hard for other people to communicate in that way, or is that just me?
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Hey Jill,
ReplyDeleteI too am dating someone from Lehigh. I think now during the summer I can honestly say that I might have a real genuine conversation with him once every week sometimes even two weeks, which is very unsatisfying. Nothing compares to talking in person, and being with them to see their response, their facial expressions… For me, talking on the phone is so different because in person you can just blab on about anything in the world, and its fine. But when I talk on the phone I feel so rushed, like I have to just tell him what I need to tell him and then call him the next night to say good night. He’s not really a fan of talking on the phone (even more so with texting, he hates it when I text him every minute of the day), and I just don’t feel the same connection as being with him in person. I agree with Kristen that texting is an impersonal medium, but it is convenient and when ways to talk to your significant other are so limited, I guess you take what you can get. :/