Stray Messages Are Like Stray Bullets

by Paoula
(Lakesville, and the world-wide Web)

I would like to share a few tips about today's fast-paced electronic environment... especially through email, texting and social networking.

Simply put... sometimes it's best to wait until you are face-to-face to communicate certain things to certain people. What do I mean by that?

When you send an email or a text message, or message someone through a social networking site like Facebook, there is always something missing in your communication. For the most part, that's okay. You don't always need to see someone's facial expression and body language, or hear their tone of voice.

However, I've seen many people's relationships get hurt or broken because of mis-communication and misunderstanding... they have an email or text exchange that escalates until one or both parties get their feelings hurt... or worse!

This is because it's impossible to know exactly how someone wants you to take what they're typing. There is so much missing information in an email, that emotionally-charged subjects are best kept for face-to-face discussions, when people can look one another in the eye and know exactly where they stand as the conversation moves forward.

Here are some quick tips for electronic communication...

- Save emotionally-charged subjects for face-to-face encounters...

- Don't say anything through a text or email that you wouldn't say to someone's face...

- If you think you may have hurt a sensitive person's feelings electronically, don't try to justify yourself or make excuses. Just use the phone or email to set up a time to see them and work it out in person...

- Use emoticons liberally and honestly... like the smiley face when you're happy :) or the winky-face when you're joking ;)

- Read your email or text from the other person's perspective before hitting "send" ... think about how they would feel getting that message...

- Don't participate in electronic gossip or rumor-spreading... everything you do online is traceable and it will eventually come full circle to bite you in the rear. (besides, God is watching!)

- Be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry"

OK... that's all I have for now!

- Paoula