Texting has been the most common way of communicating since the rapid evolution of smartphones began. Work, school and even personal conversations are commonly done through texts.Texts are easy but are they best means of communication?The simple answer is NO.
Although Texts are easy to send, they are difficult to communicate through. This negative characteristic of texting is very common in dating.
Meeting a person and attempting a romantic relationship with them is daring and equally scary. Most contemporary relationships begin on social media which would automatically make texting the easiest means of communication.
This adds another challenge to an already challenging situation. It may not seem challenging in the honeymoon phase but with time, texting would put up obstacles that would never exist in physical interactions.Here’s why talking to a potential date gives you a better chance:
Presence of empathy.
From eye contact to body language, meeting a potential date in person gives you room to express yourself. It creates space for real and wholesome interactions which would have been misinterpreted or not sensed in a text. In-person interactions give way to intimacy and real emotions which can be generally linked to empathy as a whole. Empathy and intimacy thrive in face-to-face conversations which removes the hassle of uncertainty.
Miscommunication is the soul of texting.
Generally, miscommunication is the belief that a person does not know what another person is thinking or feeling in a given moment. This occurs when there are gaps or blank spaces in an interaction that need to filled in. Texting overlooks real conversations, averting emotional connections all together.
This already gives way to various misunderstandings that could deter a potential relationship. A good number of misread situations take place in texts. This is not necessarily because the text was not easy understand but rather because an emoji wasn’t added or the receiver was already in a bad mood and is likely to get irritated by the smallest things.
In some cases, sarcasm may be perceived as an insult and politeness is often forgotten which may lead to an out of proportion issue that would have not even happened if the sender’s tone could be heard. Texts do not come with tones like voices do which may leads to misunderstanding just based on how a text is read.
Communication is strained and not properly done over texts. Room to explain or be more vivid is not given.Texting can pass the wrong message across, the absence of an emoji after a message as simple as ‘I’m fine’ can be sensed as anger. Bland texts in general may be assumed as a fool mood which can stir a person away from a potential date.
Miscommunication is the a common occurrence in texting and sets back chances with a potential date. It is not necessarily intentional but happens more often than intended.Miscommunication is another major reason why talking gives you a better chance with a potential date than texting would. It deters your chances a lot quicker and in some cases, a second chance may not be possible.
Nonverbal cues are harder notice
Nonverbal cues like emotions, are distorted by texting making interpretation impossible. Emotions can’t be sensed through a text, it would be assumed that both people are in a good mood when in reality, this may not be the case. Not being able to know a person’s emotional state can cause misinterpretation and miscommunication. This may lead to arguments and a fallout before the date or actual relationship gets to start.
Gaps in Conversation
Texting makes conversations shallow, making them more restricted. Online conversations are restricted and a single conversation can be stretched for hours if not weeks. One person in the conversation can step out at anytime which sets back the conversation.
The Plague of over texting.
Texting is easy but the line between personal space and ‘getting to know each other’ is easily blurred. Conversation and communication are highly affected by texting and disinterest in certain conversations won’t be sensed or passed across. So rather than the listening-talking interaction, the over texting plague sets in, invading personal space and tearing down chances of a relationship.
The 24/7 Phenomenon.
In texting, a person is expected to be available around the clock because they’re always with their phones. This is not necessarily the case but since it’s just a text you’re expected reply asap. Real life isn’t always taken into consideration and this sways to the path of miscommunication, creating anxiety and insecurity. This is generally viewed as false availability which starts with the need to get texts back in seconds.
Deception
As unreal as it seems, it’s easier for a person to create an image of themselves online that is untrue and made up. Texts are easier to lie through after all, they’re just words. In-person interactions come with eye contact and talking which makes it a lot more difficult to lie.
Interpersonal interactions are widely effective.
Face to face interactions create an atmosphere for conversation to be easier and it gives a great insight to a persons true nature. Reactions and reasonably timed responses would be perceived differently in person. This foundation would be a better start than texting which would inevitable ruin a budding romance all together before it even begins.