IRL v.s Text: How We Talk V.S How We Text
by Kaylen H.
Throughout time, there have been many different forms of communication. Most of these forms have changed in many ways, for example talking. Now you can talk over the phone and don't have to be face to face. These forms have changed for many reasons, the biggest being the introduction of technology, which makes it easier to communicate with each other. The introduction of technology opened doors that allow us to connect even when we are far apart. With this comes a downside; the speech we use in conversation doesn't always represent or show in text. All in all, it's okay, but it can sometimes lead to miscommunications and shocks when you meet in person or when you begin texting or messaging.
One thing I noticed is that people are more “vocal” in text and messages than they’re in person. They “say” a lot more and come across as braver and more confident than when you talk to them in person. It’s understandable why people are like this, you have more time to think and process your thoughts to make sense in the text than when talking. This gives people more freedom to be more expressive, without feeling rushed or pressured by time and everyone around them. It gives more time to think and think out their thoughts. Which is a good thing, and it's also a reason why people like texting more than talking in person or over the phone.
While some become more vocal over text, others become the opposite. They don’t say as much, or they are more “quiet”. Which is something I also kind of understand. Some of the people who are like this, don’t like texting or messaging, they would rather talk over the phone or in person. It’s understandable because it is hard sometimes to communicate through texting. Some emotions or feelings are hard to show through text and are better shown through voice or facial expression. Another reason for this is some people are just more comfortable with talking than texting. Which is completely okay, and something I do sometimes.
While I and many others fall somewhere in the middle between the two, I think it's safe to say that very rarely do people talk and text in the same way. I think everyone falls somewhere in the middle between the two extremes, even if they are most closely situated on one side of the spectrum. As someone who falls in the middle a lot, I think it all depends on how you feel. To me, it’s interesting to see the difference between how someone acts through messaging and how people act in person. When you communicate one way and then begin talking in another, they seem different. It's like you're getting to know a different side of them, which is interesting in itself.
The idea that people can seem to change personality depending on which form of communication they are using is an interesting topic. We can change in so many different ways depending on how we are feeling and what we are more comfortable with using. We either become more “vocal” or more “quiet”. Seeing this difference between real life and text conversations is sometimes shocking because you thought you knew whoever you were talking to or messaging. But they can be completely different from when you meet them in real life or when you text them, which is interesting to me. Seeing how people communicate and seeing how different parts of their personality shine through that form of communication adds more complexities to their personality. So look closely at how your friends, family, and even yourself communicate in real life or talking through texting and messaging.
