There is an old saying that states “No relationship can prosper without proper communication.”
I tend to agree with this statement in all realms. There needs to be effective communication between people you work with, are friends with, and of course, your loved ones. Yet, here we are in the year 2020 with numerous ways to communicate.
There is texting, DM’s (Matt Ribaudo and Andrea Cadigan even have a show called The Boston DM Show), Facebook Messenger, FaceTime calls, and -believe it or not BostonMan- there is still the good old-fashioned phone call too!
When I was asked to write this column for BostonMan Magazine and compare Texting vs. Facetime vs. Phone Calls, I decided to ask all of my family, friends and colleagues their thoughts, before I made my final assessment on which method I think is the most effective way to communicate.
What I discovered was that most people were very passionate about their opinions regarding this topic because communication, in itself, is extremely valued. Ok BostonMan! Let me break it down for you:
1. Texting: We live in a world of convenience. Everything is fast paced and most people are constantly rushing around trying to check items off of their “To Do Lists.” Texting can be done in a second so it has definitely taken over the communication world during the past decade. It is a fast way to get your point across and it offers on the go convenience. Some people reported that they feel more confident texting because they can say what they want to say more easily instead of feeling a tad shy or timid during a phone call or face to face conversation. Others feel it helps keep people connected when they are far apart due to distance. BostonMan! FYI: Boston women reported higher quality connections with their partners. They feel romance is enhanced through multiple, daily texts, reading a quick “I love you message” or “Thinking about you message”, and it boosts their mood for the day. The downsides of texting, which people reported are that sometimes it is hard to decipher a person’s tone or what they are trying to convey. It could give false impressions or misconstrued sarcasm, which can cause unnecessary anxiety which may lead to arguments and no BostonMan wants that! Texts, as we all know, can often be taken out of context.
2. FaceTime: As amazing as technology is, we can now have a FaceTime conversation with a person and feel like we are sitting with them having a live conversation. However, the majority of people do not prefer this method of communication. Although people did feel that it is beneficial for long distance relationships or when people are traveling. Many women stated that they felt they had to look a certain way when taking a FaceTime call with someone new they were dating and may not feel quite comfortable or confident yet for this form of more intimate/personalized communication. Others felt that we live in a world of multi-tasking, and FaceTime calls force you to be stagnant and stop everything else. It is also impossible to FaceTime someone when driving, and as you know BostonMan, Bostonians spend a large amount of time jumping in and out of our cars. The final analysis here is to use this tool wisely as it can certainly enhance your connection with a woman, but if misused it can also add unnecessary stress to a burgeoning relationship!
3. Phone Calls: Many people absolutely love talking on the phone, even though their busy schedules do not always allow for it. When having a live phone conversation, there is very little room for confusion, misinterpretations, or assumptions. BostonMan, this means you avoid the drama. Less hostility and fighting is reported vs. texting. People are not waiting for a response as they do with text messages. Women feel it helps to build a more positive, emotional bond -without the pressure of a face-to-face FaceTime call. Some reported that a conversation can go too long and they feel “stuck” on the phone, and others reported that they disliked that it was not always quick and convenient and that it can be hard to have phone conversations at work or around groups of people. Overall though, most women agreed that the old-fashioned phone call is still one of the most appreciated and effective means of communication.
When polling my Instagram followers on this topic, seventy-three percent of people preferred texting as their favorite method of communication.
Finally BostonMan, if you want to know my personal opinion on this topic, here it is…
I love hearing a loved one’s voice on the phone. It is my favorite method of communication by far. Days are long and years are short and talking with people we love is so important to make as a priority in your life. However, as I always say, I live in organized chaos and am constantly mulit-tasking every hour so I definitely text more than I talk on the phone. I like how you can get your point across to people in a quick message; ask a question, and communicate with a loved one throughout the day. Whichever method you prefer, do not let a phone ever replace time spent with people. Live in the moment and unplug sometimes.
As far as dealing with all those miscommunication mishaps that can happen in your life, who better than Carrie Bradshaw to put it all in perspective?
“Eventually all the pieces fall into place,” she says. “Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moment, and know that everything happens for a reason.”
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts regarding this topic so please email me at tiffyg77@yahoo and make sure you follow me on Instagram @tiffyg77.
Tiffany Giannato is a mother, fashionista, stylist, and shopping addict! Her blogs, pictorials, and fashion tips are aimed towards empowering both women and men to look and feel their best regardless of age. Her “you can be as trendy at 61 as you were at 21” mantra has taken Boston by storm! A true Italian, Tiffany believes family, love, food, and style are always the keys to happiness!
