Let’s face it, we all know that technology runs our lives, or at least it plays a huge part of it. With this great power also comes great change. I mean, really think about it, when was the last time you had a genuine conversation with someone in person? When was the last time you asked a friend, face-to-face, to hang out, instead of just sending a quick text message? Exactly.

Let’s take this whole technology thing one step further and talk about employment. Say you’re out looking for a job. Once upon a time, you had to go into the store or restaurant, ask for a manager and ask if they were hiring. If they were, they would hand you the application. They saw your face. They vaguely knew who you were. Looking for a job now can consist of the same thing, but this is not always the case. Now many places are putting their applications online. There is not always that personal interaction that could help you get that job. Technology is getting in the way.

Let’s talk about technology and the way we spell and talk. I’m going to be honest with you here, I certainly don’t have the best grammar, but nothing drives me crazier than when I’m having a conversation with someone where typing is involved, and they don’t fully spell out words, or have run-on sentences because they are too lazy to use correct punctuation. Sure, I can understand the occasional incorrect use of grammar

— we all do it — but you just can’t make a habit of it.

So since we started talking about conversations that involve typing, there is a difference between a text message, an email, a phone call and face to face contact. Text messages are great for all day, every day, quick and easy communication, but sometimes the words you are sending may not always come across in the way you meant them. Words can be misread and interpreted the wrong way, and smiley faces and emojis have to power to change everything. Emails are quite similar to text messages, except it may take someone longer to get back to you; however, you can send an email to anyone in the whole world and not be charged for it.

Oh, those phone calls. Another form of communication that is quick and usually painless. Now the thing about phone calls is they can get awkward and then what? You can’t just end the conversation by simply not answering like you do with a text or email, but a phone call is so much more personal, especially when you need to talk about something important.

Here’s the big one, face-to-face conversation. Cue the scary music. So, I guess this could be considered the most intimidating form of communication. This is when we have to face everything, the words we’re about to say, the people that we’re saying them to, and most importantly, realizing that we don’t have a keyboard or phone to hide behind. This is when all of our social awkwardness comes out because we don’t have time to think about what we’re going to say, we just say it. But that’s better, isn’t it? I mean, we’d have to face this sooner or later.

Now, I personally am a texting type of person. I don’t particularly care for emails, but I do send them. I hate talking on the phone, but of course I’ll do it. Talking to someone in person I don’t find that intimidating, well, at least not all of the time. If there was only one way I could talk to anyone for the rest of my life though, I would pick face-to-face communication. There are certain things that you just need to say out loud, and there are some things you need to physically hear, not read.

Since there are some things that are better to be said, not typed, I think we should address what those things are. Bad news should be said in person. If you’re going to break up with someone, or if there was an accident, put your big kid pants on and tell that person right up front. It may be hard, but it’s the best way. Now on a more positive note, if you just got a job, or maybe when you got accepted to college, wouldn’t you want to just scream that news out to someone? Maybe screaming is a little intense, but when something big like that happens, I think sharing that joy with someone in person just makes it that much more exciting.

Communication and technology are funny things, but they’re part of who we are. As we march into the future, it’s important for us to take the time to remember that once upon a time there was face-to-face communication.