Texting Beats Talking When It Comes To Maintaining Relationships!
It seems that most of us rely too heavily on electronic communication when keeping in touch with our friends and loved ones with 65 per cent of us admitting we do this over meeting in person.
The study, which was commissioned by Docmail, showed that the average adult carried out 65 per cent of their communication via 140 texts, 72 Facebook interaction and 40 emails a month to friends and loved ones.
Incredibly, half of us haven’t spoken to our closest friend on the phone for over a month, choosing instead to interact electronically.
Dave Broadway of Docmail, the print and post specialists, said, “It’s clear to see that there is a heavy reliance on digital communication and that for the most part this enhances and adds value to our friendships.
“But the results show that many of us feel we rely on it too much and that it’s actually changing the dynamics of our relationships.
“While we may be in more constant contact and have the ability to share and bring visual elements to our conversations, the time we spend speaking on the phone or even making the effort to see each other face to face is in decline.”
Shockingly, a third of us said that we can’t go an hour without some form of electronic interaction, while nearly two thirds of us said we have friends and loved ones that we only contact via text or social media.
There is an upside to this interaction, with over half saying that the conversations seem never ending as they are constantly going back and forth.
But two thirds feel that a large amount of online interaction doesn’t actually enhance their relationships and the same amount feel they need to see people face-to-face more often.
A third of us admitted that we don’t like talking on the phone, whether it be with a friend or not and a quarter of us believe it’s impossible to retain relationships without social networking.
Traditional methods of communication are still valued though, with those polled saying they valued a letter or package from a friend or loved one more than an email or text.
When it came to saying thank you or expressing something sincere, we still believe that sending a thank you note, a card or a package is the best way to do it.
Dave said, “It seems that there is an increasing trend to avoid talking on the phone and instead text or use social media. It raises the argument of what matters more, the amount of communication or the quality?
“The results show that when it comes to showing real meaning or wishing to display genuine sentiment, electronic or online tools aren’t adequate and that traditional methods like receiving something in the post or face to face contact will always be regarded as more meaningful.”
Do you still see your friends and loved ones face-to-face or do you keep it mostly electronic? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below or tweeting us @FemaleFirst_UK
Cara Mason