Let’s welcome in 2016! I hope everyone had a restful and fun holiday break!
Since my own workload depends in part on whether other people or companies are working, I had a more relaxed schedule during the Christmas season.
As a result, from about midday Christmas Eve to December 27th, I had my cell phone turned off. It was only turned on the 27th because I was expecting exciting news about baby births. I saw those few days as a means to separate work and play time.
During those few days, family members, but especially my brother tried to contact me on my cell phone regarding details for Christmas dinner. He was mildly disapproving when I told him I had my phone off for 3 days. I haven’t had the chance yet to ask him why that was such a faux pas. In fact I am puzzled. It’s not like I was out on the international space station, or on a scientific expedition to Antarctica. I was available, all he had to do was call me on my landline telephone.
In all, there are 7 ways you can reach me when you need to. And yes, 6 of them are connected to a computer, iPad or cell phone. But 99% of the time I will be available in at least 1 mode of communication, and I am diligent in checking my messages.
So I will leave you with a few New Year’s questions to ponder:
Does your preferred mode of communication (if you have one), say something about your personality?
Does electronic communication require different etiquette? Is it less personal and easier to forget?
Has the ease in which we can communicate in various media decreased the meaning of our dialogue?
Please leave a comment on my blog post, or I look forward to discussing the answers at an in person meeting, an enjoyable means of communication that never goes out of style.