Skype. What have we come to?

[louis33705]

I have friends I Skype with in Atlanta, Pittsburg, New York, London, Spain and Brazil. What baffles me is my next door neighbor. When he sees me online, he rings me up. What happened to the days of just picking up the phone or walking over and knocking on my door? The last time I saw him face to face was a couple of weeks ago when I drove him to his doctor's appointment. Since then I have only seen him on my computer screen. Yesterday I cooked a big dinner for me and my wife. Our tradition is for her to come over, watch TV or talk while we eat. She asked if I could have the dinner ready early. She wanted to come over to pick up some food and take it back to her place 'cause she was waiting for her friend from Connecticut to contact her in Skype.

I know we are cyber friends here, but I guarantee you, if anyone of you were living closer to me, we would be having more than a screen friendship.

What say you? What are your thoughts?

I think I'll go hang out in my local pub tonight. Have a couple of brews with the locals and order one of their famous 1/3 lb cheese burgers.

 

[Beth]

I know what you mean; I have "caught" myself texting my husband, in the next room, because I don't want to shout and I know he always has his phone with him. Alas, technology brings ease, but at a cost. When my daughter lived in England and Europe, we would Skype; it is free and I loved seeing her face while we talked. However, I think if you live next door, we should just walk over.

 

[louis33705]

I know what you mean; I have "caught" myself texting my husband, in the next room, because I don't want to shout and I know he always has his phone with him. Alas, technology brings ease, but at a cost. When my daughter lived in England and Europe, we would Skype; it is free and I loved seeing her face while we talked. However, I think if you live next door, we should just walk over.

Beth if you lived next door, I would be cooking up a storm for you. We have a fire pit here too and imagine the BBQ's we could have sitting around the fire.

 

[joninliverton]

As Beth says, Skype is good when your family is split all over the world or in parts of a country which would mean a long drive to visit them. Going onto Skype to chat to a neighbour is lazy unless of course you don't like them and put them on mute.

 

[peterh6308]

I have a real close friend who texts me page after page. I have told him many times to just call me!! He says he's busy so texting works for him. The time it took him to text all that then me reading it we could have had a verbal conversation. I don't get it either!!!

 

[joninliverton]

I have a real close friend who texts me page after page. I have told him many times to just call me!! He says he's busy so texting works for him. The time it took him to text all that then me reading it we could have had a verbal conversation. I don't get it either!!!

I've a few friends like that too Peter. I was chatting to one of my closest friends the other day on my cellphone and at the same time he messaged me on Grindr - WTF.

 

[Beth]

I've a few friends like that too Peter. I was chatting to one of my closest friends the other day on my cellphone and at the same time he messaged me on Grindr - WTF.

Sounds like he's a good "multitasker!"

 

[tampa24]

I don't Skype myself. Mainly because I haven't figured out the technology. I know exactly what you guys mean about texting though. I see the texting feature as a means of communication. I don't however like to use it for long conversation.

Hi. I'm at the store. Can I get you anything?" "Can you pick up a gallon of milk?"

"Are we still on for 7:00 tonight at the restaurant?" "Can we make it 7:15?" "Sure. See you there."

I have friends who want to send page after page of texting also. When you use it for long conversation it gets tiring very quickly. I want to say a few sentences at most by texting and then be done with it. If a long conversation is warranted or desired by both people, then an oral conversation by phone is much more effective and efficient. It's much better than tapping away on a tiny keyboard and having several minutes of your day wasted while waiting in between for the other to respond. IMO haha

 

[betudidntknow]

I have friends I Skype with in Atlanta, Pittsburg, New York, London, Spain and Brazil. What baffles me is my next door neighbor. When he sees me online, he rings me up. What happened to the days of just picking up the phone or walking over and knocking on my door? The last time I saw him face to face was a couple of weeks ago when I drove him to his doctor's appointment. Since then I have only seen him on my computer screen. Yesterday I cooked a big dinner for me and my wife. Our tradition is for her to come over, watch TV or talk while we eat. She asked if I could have the dinner ready early. She wanted to come over to pick up some food and take it back to her place 'cause she was waiting for her friend from Connecticut to contact her in Skype.

I know we are cyber friends here, but I guarantee you, if anyone of you were living closer to me, we would be having more than a screen friendship.

What say you? What are your thoughts?

I think I'll go hang out in my local pub tonight. Have a couple of brews with the locals and order one of their famous 1/3 lb cheese burgers.

Technology is a wonderful thing! I appreciate being able to communicate with family and friends who are in other states but, I have to agree, I am still Old School in many ways! I tend to only use technology when it's the best, most convenient form of communication. I am thankful to have been born at a time when communication technology has "evolved" rather than born during a time when, it's all I know!

 

[KellyG]

I would much rather hear the voice but conversation seems to be a lost art

 

[louis33705]

I do have to give my granddaughter credit for this one. She is 16 years old and forever on her phone texting her friends or on facebook. However, whenever she wants to get in touch with me she calls. The phone rings and the first thing I hear is, "Hi Abeulo..." and the conversation goes on from there. Actually, she and her boyfriend and his family were at an outdoor market last Saturday. They bought some ripe plantains and she called me 'cause his mother wanted instructions on how to prepare them. She's such a sweetheart.

 

[tampa24]

Fried plantains are wonderful!

 

[willman30]

My ex texted me every day all day but when she and I were in person she clam up..... technology has desensitized us.

 

[Beth]

Beth if you lived next door, I would be cooking up a storm for you. We have a fire pit here too and imagine the BBQ's we could have sitting around the fire.

I must get to Florida!