NationStates Jolt Archive

Ok, not specifically telephones, but I don't like talking on them. Conversations on a phone means that you cannot see the other person's body language - a considerable disadvantage, especially if you do not know the person you are talking to. Also, you get a disembodied voice in your ear. Ok, so it's obvious it's coming from the phone, but I just don't like that.
Even worse - MSN etc. Conversations on that are terrible. Not only can you not see the other person's body language, but you don't get to hear the tone of their 'voice'. How can you have a proper conversation in those circumstances?
And on both, there's no physical contact between you and the person to whom you are talking.
Any other people feel the same? Or just want to call me an idiot?

I do use phones and MSN by the way, as they're convenient. I just don't like doing so.

I hate talking on the phone. And phones in general, actually... phones just bug me.

MSN/AIM and all that I'm fine with. -shrug-

Ok, not specifically telephones, but I don't like talking on them. Conversations on a phone means that you cannot see the other person's body language - a considerable disadvantage, especially if you do not know the person you are talking to. Also, you get a disembodied voice in your ear. Ok, so it's obvious it's coming from the phone, but I just don't like that.
Even worse - MSN etc. Conversations on that are terrible. Not only can you not see the other person's body language, but you don't get to hear the tone of their 'voice'. How can you have a proper conversation in those circumstances?
And on both, there's no physical contact between you and the person to whom you are talking.
Any other people feel the same? Or just want to call me an idiot?

I do use phones and MSN by the way, as they're convenient. I just don't like doing so.

I've gotta agree with you somewhat, but MSN's all I've got :p.

I agree completely...I think subconsciously, the human brain needs body language to have a proper conversation.

MSN is fine for joking around and that...but nothing beats face-to-face contact.

Phones are better, because as you said, you have the "tone" of the voice to pick up...but then, meh, I get annoyed with phone conversations after about 5 minutes.

Coincidentally, this is why you should never ask somebody out over the phone (or internet, which is even more stupid)

Coincidentally, this is why you should never ask somebody out over the phone (or internet, which is even more stupid)

Oh man, Sanctaphrax did that a few days ago. Man, was that funny.

"That was the shortest relationship ever!"

Hm. People?... We're writing these messages...

Telephones? Hah!!

Telepathy is much more cost-effective....

i hate and often have a weird irrational fear of talking on the phone... however i'm absolutley fine (and far, far happier) with msn

Telephones? Hah!!

Telepathy is much more cost-effective....

Hah... I got free mobile to mobile on sprint. I'm usually talking with my boyfriend.. heheh.. gay guys can talk a lot.. our last conversation was two hours. I know it is probably not good talking on a cell phone so much, but I use a head set.

do you believe you can actually tell when someone's smiling over the phone. I work with Users everyday and I can tell when they're fustrated, angry, happy, embarrased etc... emotions are transmittined over the phone, even when you don't want it to.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who dislikes phones. Though I still spend a lot of time on them, otherwise I'd have almost no contact with some of my closest friends. And they know I dislike phones...hmmm...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who dislikes phones. Though I still spend a lot of time on them, otherwise I'd have almost no contact with some of my closest friends. And they know I dislike phones...hmmm...

I like them because how else would I be able to call and meet up with people? They are an effective communication tool.

I suppose having family and friends spread over distances that makes immediate communication impossible has let me like phones. (I can't stand having to make a call to someplace I don't know though... telephobia, I guess :p)

They're an evil necessity. I regret that people are losing their sense of phone manners, and seem to think they should be able to talk whenever they feel like it - I've even had clients call on Easter. I just take it off the hook some nights, I relish the privacy.

I also dislike talking on the phone, beyond short exchanges. However, I prefer talking on instant messengers, because at least in text you have more time to think about what you want to say and can get across what you mean better. You can also describe your actions or use 'emoticons' to try and express yourself better.

...I think it's just that I don't talk well, so without the body language I'm screwed, but I can write more fluently.

Even worse - MSN etc. Conversations on that are terrible. Not only can you not see the other person's body language, but you don't get to hear the tone of their 'voice'. How can you have a proper conversation in those circumstances?

By actually using smileys properly. Maybe add colourcodes. With practice MSN is much better suited for personal conversations than phones - but some things still need real life of course ;)

Ok, not specifically telephones, but I don't like talking on them. Conversations on a phone means that you cannot see the other person's body language - a considerable disadvantage, especially if you do not know the person you are talking to. Also, you get a disembodied voice in your ear. Ok, so it's obvious it's coming from the phone, but I just don't like that.
Even worse - MSN etc. Conversations on that are terrible. Not only can you not see the other person's body language, but you don't get to hear the tone of their 'voice'. How can you have a proper conversation in those circumstances?
And on both, there's no physical contact between you and the person to whom you are talking.
Any other people feel the same? Or just want to call me an idiot?

I do use phones and MSN by the way, as they're convenient. I just don't like doing so.
Amen, Amen, Preach it Brother! ;)

By actually using smileys properly. Maybe add colourcodes. With practice MSN is much better suited for personal conversations than phones - but some things still need real life of course ;)
There's still no physical contact, and however well you use smileys, you can still only indicate facial expression. There's absolutely no way to convey the subtleties of body language through instant messaging.

Calling someone I know like friends and family is great and I can tell by their tone of voice what's going on (don't need the body language there).

But I have to admit that using the phone to get something done or achieve some results (I dunno, information, get s.o. to do s.th. etc.) is a real pain in the ass most of the times.

Then I don't have caller I.D. which means whenever my phone rings I gotta answer it to find out who's calling. That's a real bitch for I absolutely loathe, hate & despise telemarketing of all kinds.

I will participate in telephone surveys though, as long as it's done by a serious company. (Pretty much like discussing politics on NS :D)

Then again, if I can't find something on the net but really want or need the information (like that one time when I needed some info on Native Americans) I just called up a reservation I visited years ago and the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the States and they actually sent me the stuff I was looking for free of charge).

So, whenever I can avoid it, I don't like talking to strangers on the phone. Eery feeling for whatever reasons. Probably what you mentioned, no eye contact, no body language. Dunno.

Good talking to you via NS though :D

(is "eery" = strange spelled right?)

The phone is one of the greatest inventions ever created. Saying that, I hate conversations but is an extremely effective way to communicate over long distances. I use the phone in order to meet up with my friends and have face to face conversations rather than on the phone. MSN is worse only it is cheaper for me than long distance telephone.