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Position Paper (any topic) 11 – BURBANK CARANDANG, Penelope G.

Cell phones, texts, and emails are not as good as talking face-to-face

I. Introduction

Face-to-face communication distinguishes itself from other forms of communication in that

it allows the participants to view the other party or parties. Because both the speaker and
the listener are able to see and comprehend body language and facial expressions, it
provides for a more effective transmission of information overall.

According to VOX ATL, the majority of students surveyed indicated that they would
confront the person directly if they were annoying them. Although 35% of youths
questioned picked texting. Anna Shamis, a 17-year-old Norcross High School junior,
stated why she selected face-to-face communication in this case. "Because texting
frequently results in misunderstandings and misinterpretations, face-to-face
communication and sharing of feelings is the most successful method." Perhaps the
reason these people prefer texting over face-to-face communication is that they are
frightened to say the wrong thing, and texting allows them more time to consider what to
say and how to word it in a way that would not offend the other person.

When we write to a friend to communicate an urgent issue or ask for something from a
business colleague, we never know what part of our message can be misunderstood due
to a misinterpretation or a lack of interest on the side of the recipient.

In person communication, you can tell if your message has been received and if it has
been comprehended since you can see their faces. You'd have the ability to see the
answer, as well as the facial expressions and body language cues of the other person.
That kind of input is invaluable.

II. Body
We have access to all of the latest communication technologies — Skype, FaceTime,
Slack, and so forth. Nonetheless, nothing beats an old-fashioned email. It's quick, simple
to use, and best of all, it's completely free.

Email marketing continues to be one of the most effective and significant marketing
platforms available to brands. It's even popular among millennials, who dislike speaking
on the phone. While I adore email, current study indicates that it may not be as convincing
as speaking with someone in person.

Harvard Business Review reported on the study, which was later published in the Journal
of Experimental Social Psychology. It implies that the success of a face-to-face meeting
is related to the current absence of personal connection. The absence of genuine one-on-
one interaction with another person can ultimately cost us what we truly desire.

When it comes to communicating, body language is critical. It's not just how you say
things; it's also how you express yourself through your facial emotions and body posture.
Emails obliterate all of these signs.

Indeed, nonverbal cues account for around 93% of communication effectiveness. And this
is not exclusive to strangers. Even your closest pals, according to studies, are unable to
decipher your feelings in emails.
 All people, including millennials, continue to need intimate and face-to-face interactions in
order to develop a more honest and trusting connection. We should eventually speak with
others via camera, FaceTime, or conference software such as GoToMeeting.

According to Psychology Today, humans are hardwired to perceive other humans' touch.
Touch has been shown to increase connection and collaboration. According to studies,
seemingly minor touches result in larger tips for waitresses. When they are touched by a
store greeter, they shop and spend more. Strangers are more willing to assist someone if
the request is accompanied with a touch.

Perhaps it has to do with mimicking and mirroring. When you share a space with another
person, you urge them to interact and participate in whatever activity is taking place.
Therefore, if you ask a coworker to perform a duty, there is a good likelihood that the
person next to them will stand up and do something rather than sit and do nothing.

In most cases, face-to-face meetings are shorter than conference calls. That's presumably
because when everyone is on the phone, they sit quietly with their phones on mute until
the conversation is complete. This is something I've done several times.

Because you cannot read body language, you have no way of knowing how disengaged
the audience is. This activity may keep you rambling on as attendees begin to arrive and
go. In face-to-face interactions, you might pick up on these non-verbal clues, which forces
you to be direct.

III. Conclusion

With the age of cyber chatting and texting, people are starting to push aside actual human
contact in communication. Emails, instant messages, social media, phone calls are all
used. Although there are people who don’t mind, and actually prefer not seeing the other
person when speaking, they often forget the importance of face-to-face communication.

There is something about face-to-face contact that email, or any other kind of text-based
communication, simply cannot match. Personal communication appears to be the most
effective - regardless of whether you know the individual. Never underestimate the
effectiveness of face-to-face communication.

Face-to-face talks allow people to get to know one another in a level that is impossible to
attain through other means of communication. Communication by letters, text messages,
or email is less effective than verbal communication since the sentiment and emotion are
not conveyed.

People require the ability to observe one another's reactions. It is possible for words to be
misunderstood when communicated through text since text does not include visual cues
that are critical for understanding, such as body language.

When someone is in person, nonverbal communication such as facial expressions, body

posture, and gestures can be observed and understood. That conveys information that
cannot be discerned only via the use of words.

Many people are concealing themselves behind their computers due to the Internet and
cellphones. Let us not lose sight of the important component of human connection that
only face-to-face conversation can supply.
SOURCES:

https://voxatl.org/texting-vs-talking-face-face-surprising-vox-survey-results/

https://toughnickel.com/business/How-to-Have-a-Meaningful-Face-to-Face-Conversation

https://www.lifesize.com/en/blog/importance-face-to-face-communication/

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/296590

https://eztalks.com/unified-communications/what-are-the-benefits-of-face-to-face-
communication.html