Social Media VS Social Interaction

Do you remember the good ol’ days when people used to pick up the phone and actually TALK to each other? The days when we actually had to put in effort to see what’s going on in each other’s lives?  Now it’s replaced with a “PING” on bbm, an sms text message, email, or “following” someone on Twitter. It’s ridiculous.

Don’t get me wrong, I do believe there is a lot of convenience when it comes to using social media outlets, but I believe it has become a lazy way for us to interact with one another for the most part.

I remember when an ex would have to actually make that uncomfortable call in hopes that you won’t hang up on them once you hear their voice. Now, it’s all about playing safe and sending a random text message “Hi, it’s been a long time. How are you?” Like…Really?! Are we going to have this conversation on text message? Some ex's even "poke" you as a sorry attempt to get your attention. It’s just a cop-out and a lame way to keep in touch with somebody without having to put in much effort. I heard a girl at work talking about how she can’t get a hold of her boyfriend because she didn’t save his number in her blackberry. She relied on bbm in order to get a hold of him. **smh**

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've been to a restaurant and seen two people sitting in front of eachother but both of them are constantly going through their phones. Yes, I'm sure that in many cases it's the mother who is checking in with her nanny about the children. Maybe it's the husband responding to his wife that he'll pick up milk on his way home. But I can't tell you how many times I've seen a friend's status change or when they are responding to idle bbm banter when they could be having a real conversation with someone who's sitting face to face in front of them.

Another thing that I find super frustrating is that idiot friend who hits you up saying “what’s up?”. Simply that. Um…am I supposed to entertain you with what’s going on in my life or start a convo back based on that message? LAZY!

What is so awful about reaching out to someone and making concrete plans? “Let’s go do lunch?” or “ Let’s go grab a coffee?”…too much work?? I mean, why bother to do all that when you can just look on their Facebook page and get an assumed idea as to how their doing based on updated pictures and statuses, right? For those who work in Public Relations, Communications, Event Planning, etc…I can see where it’s nifty. Careers where constant social interaction is mandatory. 

But regular people just seem to be way too comfortable hitting each other up like they are clients.

Your friend is upset you send them a bbm hug. It’s the birth of someone’s child you send them a huge smiley face. Someone says they are tired…you send them an animated coffee icon. We are missing the important exchanges with people on a daily basis. I can’t deny that I too have been guilty of having serious conversations through text message…but after many attempts of it feeling that the conversations were misconstrued, I have taken the initiation in calling someone when an important conversation should take precedent over the phone or in person. Yes, it can be awkward. Yes, it can be inconvenient. But if the relationships in your life aren’t worth that effort…than it’s simply time to “end chat” and “delete contact”.