If you use technology as much as most people, you’ve probably experienced the following scenario: you text someone or post a comment without thinking on someone’s Facebook wall and there’s that one person that takes the interaction completely out of proportion. The worst case scenario is if this person is your significant other or someone you’re really close to and it changes your interactions with them in real life. When is enough, enough? When should real life take precedent over texting or Facebook?
Some tips to keep communication “real”:
1. Spend less time texting and more time talking on the phone – the voice inflections are just as important as body language.
2. Limit your time communicating via laptop/computer. Spend time out with your friends hanging out and talking (but don’t text the whole time!)
3. Enjoy the moment. Don’t ignore the friend in front of you just because another friend texted you.
4. Don’t talk about serious topics over text message. Save those conversations for over the phone, or preferably, in person.
5. Don’t take anything too seriously over text message or IM. The only real way to know how someone meant to say something is to ask them on the phone or in person.
6. The only way to get to know someone well is by spending time with them in person. Texting and Facebook messaging give you a false sense of “knowing” someone – if you don’t know their voice inflections or their body language, how do you really know if you’re that close?
