Random thoughts - Face time VS. Internet time

I'm thinking I can't stand all these social networking sites (EXCEPT this one) it's way different. For example: Generally speaking, you have a FB account or Myspace, Twitter - It seems noone really interacts with eachother anymore, they just text, or send a message, etc. It's quite sad really. How about actually calling someone on the phone that you care about to see how they're doing instead of all this messaging back and forth drama? How about spending real time with someone you care about instead of Fbooking, Tweetering, myspacing OH GEEZ WHATEVER now instead of "friend requests" the thing now is "Followers" it's just annoying to me, thus why I don't bother with any of it!

Re: Random thoughts - Face time VS. Internet time

I agree to some extent but between work and my baby, I'm rarely available to speak on the phone at the exact same time that my friends are. I can pop on and off facebook a lot less offensively than I can if I call someone and then 30 seconds later say I have to go. Still, someone close to me only sends texts lately and I am a bit annoyed. I left her a voicemail about something very personal and she replied with a text that I felt was inappropriate. The only reason I explained anything in the voicemail is because I don't like for people to worry. The topic warranted at least a return phone call, IMHO. Real time face to face is definitely optimal!!!

Re: Random thoughts - Face time VS. Internet time

I used to agree with you. When I was a student (back in the '90s) I refused to email/IM with anyone local. But that was when I had all the time in the world.

Now that I am a working parent, in a demandnig job, its the best way for me to connect. I'm up by 6 and by the time DD is in bed- 8:30, I am too pooped to call anyone or see anyone. I need my own down time, some time with DH adn then sleep.

My best friend and my sister I do spend time with and talk on the phone with, but almost everyone else - its email, facebook, or IM. With kids, its hard to coordinate people's scheules. My girlfriends also usually do a girls brunch once a month- so that is nice.

I facebook chat with my SILs abroad and its so nice! With the 7 hour time difference, its hard to talk to them on the phone. I also drop my friends an email when its nothing important.

Re: Random thoughts - Face time VS. Internet time

I am not a phone person at all.

I hate talking on the phone, I hate relying on my phone & I HATE text messages. With that said, I am a total e-mail, FB girl.

FB is a great outlet to use when you just want to say a quick hello or just catch up on peoples lives without getting into long winding awkward conversations. -Especially with people you haven't seen in years.

With my close friends- even then I still e-mail from time to time & chat on FB. I cant stand texting though.

Re: Random thoughts - Face time VS. Internet time

I think they are wonderful! I keep in touch with my friends and family on those sites and I love "chatting" with everyone. I honestly don't see a difference between talking on the phone or communicating over email/text/IM.

I dont have ANY time during the week to talk to anyone and on the weekends I am usually pretty busy to. I think I would feel isolated without these sites at this point in my life.

They also have helped a great deal with my social anxiety - I feel like I can get comfortable with people and then make the next step and attempt to reconnect in person!

Re: Random thoughts - Face time VS. Internet time

Re: Random thoughts - Face time VS. Internet time

I feel with social networking it has made it a lot easier for me to keep in touch with friends and family for that matter. Many of my friends and family don't live near me and it's so easy just to respond to a FB status and keep up with lives (during the middle of work) because I can't pick up the phone to call them.

I do feel that face time is really important too, but then again, this is the line of work I'm in. I think social networking complements face time, but shouldn't replace it.

Re: Random thoughts - Face time VS. Internet time

I see what you're saying, but I think they both have their place. Sites like Facebook and myspace are great for quick messages and catching up with people you might not have time to keep in touch with on a casual basis otherwise.

But the key words there are "casual basis", I think... I get annoyed too when it seems people use ONLY networking sites as a complete subsitute for face/phone/personal email message time. Honestly, the only reason I signed up for facebook at all is because I felt left out - I was missing out on engagement announcements, pictures of my friends' kids, things that I honestly expected that my friends - my GOOD friends - might try a little harder to spread the word about in a more conventional fashion for those of us that aren't on FB, but I guess not.

Re: Random thoughts - Face time VS. Internet time

I agree. I think some of my nieces and nephews are HORRIBLE phone speakers. They mumble, give one word answers, just general blah. I think they have AMAZING texting skills though