What Are Your Preferred Methods of Communication?

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What Are Your Preferred Forms of Communication?

  • I DON'T COMMUNICATE--I stare people down into smoldering piles of withered ashes. (Wild and Yaweh, d

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    20

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#1
Hey Everyone,

I have always been fascinated by communication in every available form. However, I've often taken for granted that different people like to communicate in different ways. When I want to get to know someone, I sometimes have to remind myself to be flexible in trying to adapt to their communication style, even if it's not as familiar or comfortable to me.

For example, I resisted texting for the longest time... But then I tried it (and got a phone that could actually text :rolleyes:), and I was totally hooked.

But then I got to thinking that EVERYONE wanted to communicate via texts... and then l I came across people who preferred things like instant messaging or voice chats. I used to think that if I left my contact info for texting and they didn't contact me, they just had no interest in talking to me (which could be very true!! :p), so it took me a while to realize that they just had another way of communicating that was easier or more convenient for them.

I like to give credit to the people who inspire a specific thread, and in this case, that person is Reborn.

He and I have slightly different preferences for conversing, and if I hadn't given his way a chance, I would have missed the chance to make an incredibly hilarious, deep-thinking and insightful friend--as well as a way to keep in better contact with some of my other friends as well.

Because of that, I now try to be more open about the different ways a person might like to communicate.

What about the rest of you?

* What are your favorite ways to communicate with others?

* What are some communication styles you were reluctant to try, but wound up liking?

* What are some styles of communication that you prefer NOT to use at all?

Please give me a few minutes to create a multiple answer, OPEN-ENDED poll in which we will be able to see each other's answers. I hope this won't stop anyone from responding, but I thought it would be fun to see how each of us likes to communicate.

Don't let that stop you, though--feel free to start communicating (posting) your answers at any time. :)
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#2
Sort of depends on the person and context of the interaction.
On the past i majorly preferred writing over talking in arguments. But the past year I've grown out of that. Now I find it frustrating to not be able to talk during an argument.

More general conversation, the more I know them the more I prefer talking. But writing/texting can have it's merits, especially when I'm not wanting direct interaction.

Hmm. Seems the more I write the less sure I am of an answer. So many variables that would affect it.
 
N

NoNameMcgee

Guest
#3
my least favorite is a phone chat

then PMs


then instant messages

then text



then a face to face in a public setting

and my favorite is a face to face in a private setting
 
Y

Yahweh_is_gracious

Guest
#4
I feel forced to communicate. I'm not against it altogether, but I feel as though living in the modern age such as I do, I am forced to use things like e-mail, IMs, texting, etc. I don't like being forced to do anything. If I choose to do something, that is one thing, but to give me no choice...that just makes me resentful.

I wish hand-writing letters would be a "thing" again.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#5
I used to think I was fairly decent at communication...

However, I've realized over the past year or so that I think I communicate more complicated thoughts and feelings better in writing.

In fact, I'm SO used to writing what I'm thinking that a lot of times when I'm wrestling over how to explain my thoughts, I see the words passing through my head like an electronic billboard.

I'm thinking... If I do get a boyfriend someday... I'm going to have to explain to him that are going to be times when I have to step back and put things down in writing instead of trying to speak them out at the moment.

Man.

It's like... He'll ask me, "What's wrong?" and I'll be like, "Hold up... Gimme a minute..." And 3 days later, I'll hand him a 50-page dissertation.

The poor guy, if he exists. Lol.

(But you know what I think would be secretly cool? Someone who writes me back. :p)

Not a necessity. Just something unique that I would be greatly astonished by.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#6
I feel forced to communicate. I'm not against it altogether, but I feel as though living in the modern age such as I do, I am forced to use things like e-mail, IMs, texting, etc. I don't like being forced to do anything. If I choose to do something, that is one thing, but to give me no choice...that just makes me resentful.

I wish hand-writing letters would be a "thing" again.
Ok, Yaweh.

I don't mean to put you on the spot here, but... I'm putting you on the spot. Sorry, but this is fascinating to me. Admittedly, you are the last person I would have expected to pine for the days of old-fashioned mail. (I thought I was the only one, by the way.)

What is it about written letters that you miss/like so much?
 
Y

Yahweh_is_gracious

Guest
#7
Ok, Yaweh.

I don't mean to put you on the spot here, but... I'm putting you on the spot. Sorry, but this is fascinating to me. Admittedly, you are the last person I would have expected to pine for the days of old-fashioned mail. (I thought I was the only one, by the way.)

What is it about written letters that you miss/like so much?
Somebody had to sit down, take time, and put their thoughts down. To get a letter from somebody means that somebody took time out of their schedule to put pen to paper, then to place a stamp on it and deposit it in the mailbox.

Communication now is so "instant", and there is the unsaid expectation that responses are likewise "instant". Hand writing letters took time. There was a buffer. Words were more carefully considered and chosen. Words had meaning.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#8
Somebody had to sit down, take time, and put their thoughts down. To get a letter from somebody means that somebody took time out of their schedule to put pen to paper, then to place a stamp on it and deposit it in the mailbox.

Communication now is so "instant", and there is the unsaid expectation that responses are likewise "instant". Hand writing letters took time. There was a buffer. Words were more carefully considered and chosen. Words had meaning.
I sorely miss the days when I used to open my mailbox and see that it contained ACTUAL letters instead of all bills and propaganda.

I started writing letters pretty much from the time I could form words and sentences. It was so super exciting to write someone for a while and then maybe, just maybe (if I could save enough of my allowance for the long-distance call), I'd get to call someone, or have them call me, and we would hear each other's voices for the very first time, sometimes after years of writing.

When I was about 14, I started writing a girl from Japan, and she brought her best friend with her to visit me for the first (and unfortunately, only time) when we were in our early 20's.

The thing that amazes me now is that we somehow coordinated that visit ALL THROUGH LETTERS--no phone calls, no internet, no texting--and back then, it took one letter 2-3 weeks to reach its (international) destination, EACH way.

Same thing with another girl I wrote in in Colorado. And though we've lost touch over the years, it was an amazing chain of adventures.

Sure, someone will say, "They could have been serial killers!" But... they weren't (they were awesome), and so I'd like to think that at the time, it was all destined by God.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
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#10
Texting.. No pictionary!!!
I can't do Pictionary either... Unless someone else is drawing and really, really good at interpreting what other people are trying to say.

My drawing is so awful, even stick figures wouldn't recognize what I was trying to convey.
 
T

toinena

Guest
#11
I miss long, well formulated handwritten letters. You waited a week or two for the response, your ideas had matured during that time, and the response would be such a joy receiving. Especially when I had a pen pal that liked to discuss more philosophical subjects. I remember we sent letter upon letter discussing Kierkegaard and religion and just everything. (I wonder if he is still singel.....?)

I like face to face when I have got confident enough to relax with a person. As a teacher and in that "role" I am always confident, but to mingle with strangers is killing me.

I was principally against e-mails, internet and computers until 2004. And chatting was nothing I tried before 2007 and that too was very limited. Actually it was with the same letter writing man, when thinking about. Boy... where is he now?

I like chatting, if the person and I sync and share the same kind of humor. (That limits the amount of candidates significally) And with some people I like to type long mails and PMs to. I guess I easily adapt to the person I communicate with, so I think as long as the communication flows, everything goes. I really appreciate a long and well formulated "letter"-type e-mail. To know the other person thinks and make time and effort is of great value. No meaningless chit chat.

So. I prefer them all. I am not in to telefaxing people and i HATE voice messages. I also HATE, LOATH, HATE videocalls. HATE!
 
Jul 7, 2017
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#12
Honestly, are there drawings worse than stuck figures? Ha ha. Jk, must really look horrible.
 
Jul 7, 2017
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#13
Who's Kierkegaard? That caught my fancy.
 
Jul 7, 2017
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#14
I see face-to-face conversation is leading the polls. This goes so much to tell how people don't wanna fall victims to fakes any more. Lol
 
Jul 7, 2017
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#15
I can't stand face-to-face conversations. I'm the COY one.
 
Jul 7, 2017
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#16
I think I kinda like Voice Recorded texts too. At least, one doesn't get to see my face but perceives mischief in my voice. :)
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#17
Well shoot, if we had a group of people who were still interested in good old-fashioned letters and trusted each another to not become stalkers...

It'd be cool get a pen pal group going.

Although, I have to admit... I've become a bit addicted to the immediacy and frequency of electronic communication, even though it takes the actual personal touch down by about 10 notches.

Letter-writing is a nearly-deceased art.

I used to love saving up my allowances to pick out just the right paper, then coordinating the color of ink and even the picture on the stamp with the feel and theme I wanted the letter to have.

I also sometimes love to decorate the envelopes with stencils, rubber stamp designs, and insanely colorful stickers.

Just a warning to anyone in advance if I DO send them a letter...

Your mailbox is going to look like it was attacked by a 9-year-old girl.
 
Jul 7, 2017
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#18
Ha ha. Wouldn't seem bad. And yes, I think we're already used to the immediacy of getting replies from the other party. I have to admit, it's gonna be a tad-bit tiring/nerve-wracking.
 

rachelsedge

Senior Member
Oct 15, 2012
3,659
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#19
I prefer using The Pony Express.

More serious answer to come later (it's being carried by pony). ;)
 
T

toinena

Guest
#20
I was always too proper to be cute like that. Stickers were for saving. I had a huge sticker collection. And stamp collection. And coin collection. Now I stick to collecting yarn and bars of soap.

Well. Back to business. I was always afraid to buy pink stationary. As I said. Cute was not my thing. But I liked politically correct recycled paper in it's early days. Grey and dull. But I felt really good about it, thinking I saved the planet. And the pen should be right, too. I liked the paper to have structure, as I am quite tactile. A polished, glossy paper is no fun handling and it just doesn't feel right.

I have still some of my old stationary waiting for a pen pal. And some cards that can even be concidered cute. Atleast flowers might occure.