Communication without any doubt is one of the key pillars of social interactions. Through communication, we are able to exchange ideas, opinions and interact with other members of the society. In today's technologically-driven world, communication however have taken on various forms,from the texts, to E-mails, to voice notes, the list is unending. This is in contrast to modes of communication prior to the digital age. While both ways fosters and enhances social interactions, there have been noticeable differences in the norms of real life communications and the ones prevalent online.
The first thought that comes to mind when real life communication is mentioned is the face-to-face interaction. Communicating in-person with someone is not just about words as it is in online texts, it involves engaging other non-verbal aspects such as body language, facial expressions, gestures and tone of voice. All these play a very important role in helping one understand the whole point of a conversation. While engaging in real life communications, immediate feedback allows for active interaction and gives room for adjustments in clarity and understanding.
In- person communications makes it easier for individuals to take to account the level of formality. In formal interactions, individuals are expected to use more polite tones and language, respectful and acceptables gestures as well as adhering to the social etiquettes peculiar to the setting of the interaction. On the other hand, in less formal settings, individuals are free to use a more relaxed tone of voice,gestures and casual language as the case may be. One of the core limitation of real life communication is physical presence which is where online communication comes to play.
Thanks to technology, we no longer have to wait to see someone before we can communicate. In as much as it has significantly improved communication by eliminating the issue of location and presence, online communication also has its own limitations. A lot of social interactions online are text-based which doesn't include the non-verbal aspects of communication like gestures,facial expression and the likes.
There's always a problem of trying convey one's emotions fully while communicating online, having so much to say but you can't type all those words, you would have opted for voice notes but an eyeroll may have been the best for you if it were to be a physical communication. Although, features like emojis and emoticons have been made available to help individuals communicate better but what if people don't actually understand what each emoji means, and when to use them? It can lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding sometimes.
Source
Have you ever sent someone a text, expecting a quick reply or feedback only to have the person reply a week later? The person might even come back asking what the conversation is about in the first place. I experience this with a lot of my friends. Or maybe you see that the person has read all the texts you sent but doesn't reply at all till whenever he chooses? Online communication for a fact allows for convenience from the both ends but it can be really annoying when there are delays in communication especially when crucial matters are the point of discussion.
Understanding the norms of communicating in real life will also be beneficial while using the online forums. You'll want concentration and immediate feedback while talking with someone physically, why not match the same energy while interacting online. Better communication skills in real life will significantly improve how we interact online. By embracing the global reach and accessibility of interaction and combining the norm of in-person communication, individuals will be better equipped to have meaning discussions with less limitations.
Cover image here
This post was inspired by the Inleo monthly prompt. Check Here to know more about the prompts for the month of may.