Can we talk?

With all the communication technology available to us, are we losing the ability to actually talk to each other?  People have no trouble posting every detail of their lives on facebook for their 436 friends to read, “Taking the kids to the dentist, then making dinner for hubby”, “Picked up a new client today”, and yet can’t seem to communicate face-to-face.

Some recent examples I’ve come across in the past week are:

An employer calling an employee on vacation to tell her not to bother coming in on Monday, because she was laid off.

A hair dresser, seeing strangers walking around the salon, began to wonder if the owner was selling the business.

Employees hearing through the grapevine, that their employer was closing the company.

And let us not forget the ubiquitous break-up email.  A magazine article I read actually advised readers not to change their facebook status to available; before they tell the other person that they want to break up!  Do we need to be told this?

Our interpersonal communication skills are important.  There is nothing like one-on-one, face to face communication.  This week, I’m going to give it a try!