Couldn’t agree more, Julie. I also use several email addresses, but that adds its own issues. I’ve used the sorting (label) feature on Gmail to some benefit, and I make a serious effort to delete all my “Promotion” emails on a daily basis. Seems like we can’t participate in anything without providing an email address, and that leads to daily bombardments. Unsubscribing is questionable. A few years ago I was in charge of a “girls’ trip” and I had to text the girls to alert them to an emailed itinerary and updates; they rarely check their email accounts any more, since retiring. In my professional career, we used to survey all employees as to their communication preferences - face to face, email, etc., but we ended up using all the channels available!
Delete or send to scam unknown addresses. Wish subject line say who from …..I’ve been forced to order 2 new credit cards in 15 months due to identity theft.
Our family gang text encompasses three generations, 13 persons aged 12-78 scattered from DC to Portland, generates 10-20 items daily larded with humor, photos, videos and is a highlight of my life. I cannot imagine another vehicle that conveys so much for so many with such ease of effort.
Since largely retiring I no longer cold call anyone (except Cherie) as they are all busy and I was once instructed that even the briefest call includes bilateral civilities that put a MINIMUM 10-minute hole (counting recovery time) in the callee's day. Instead I text: "Please call me when convenient."---and about half of them do! Leaves open what to do when no response. The yield does improve a bit if I include the subject of the call.
You raise another wrinkle to this subject. Folks who are retired can get frustrated when attempting to text or email those who are still working. The retiree, with time on his/her hands, gets frustrated when not getting a response from a query. And, the one still working, raising a family etc. feels pressure and frustrated the elder doesn’t understand.
Exactly. Hence the texted solicitation for a call. If no response I rarely pursue with a cold call as the callee clearly has a different priority at the time; rather, a second solicitation at a later time, ideally evening after work and family have settled.
Julie Gammack's February 8th feature, "Emails, texts do not equal communication" makes great points for real face-to-face talking, or at least a serious phone conversation. Emails and texts are handy, but yes, they can cause serious misunderstandings, especially when in haste.
I have recently learned how to filter my gmail into folders - they go their automatically - and it is a life saver. (thank you, TechMadeSimple Substack!) Nonetheless, I would rather talk than type or text. Too much misinterpretation can happen in texting.
Julie you are totally spot on! I just decided this week to talk rather than text. Talking used to be a way of life! Sometimes too much, sometimes not enough but there was always the feint inflection or the tone that would speak volumes to the way the talking was going.
“where all tone, body language, and inflection are stripped away.”
How True! Body language carries at least 60% of the intended meaning - apparently closer to 95% in cases of misinterpretations - phones add hint of tone but body language is missing unless to you're using Facetime of Zoom which have their own limitations. For introverts like myself - in-body language is a limited clues for my intended meaning. Worked in supervision and middle management positions - I learned hide all forms expressions for personal emotions.
Thank You Julie for sharing an important reality during these turbulent times.
I am old enough to remember when group faxes were the new and greatest thing to send something to multiple people at once, compared to sending individually via postal mail. Then when someone invented “email,” we said, why would anyone want to do that? It sounds so complicated!
Now we are overloaded with emails and texts and my adult kids prefer I do not call them directly but text instead.
Thanks for introducing me to Substack, where at least anyone interested in what I have to say can find it!
I really dislike emails. Unfortunately, my State Senator (Dennis Guth) has a habit of responding to my thoughtful emails by telling me I'm wrong about everything. My State Representative (Shannon Latham) does not respond to my emails at all.
My response this week was to file to run for the Iowa Senate, district 28. I promise, my communication style could not be more different than Sen. Guth's.
That Journalism degree from ISU comes in handy once in a while.
Oh wow Cynthia! Congratulations for stepping and running for office. My deep political bones tell me that this might be the year! Thank you and good luck!
Julie- Now I suspect you are reading posts at the moment rather than e-mails. Perhaps you can enlighten us on how to actually reach Jeff/Jennifer Morrison by e-mail? You told me that they were the point of contact for the Letters from Iowans......but I have no phone number or e-mail for them, so that poses issues. Maybe that information is somewhere on the options, but I can't find it. Hmm...
So many communication tools but we abound with misinformation, disinformation or no information. Nothing better than an in-person or phone conversation. Communication is a two-way dynamic. Thanks Julie for a worthwhile read.
Couldn’t agree more, Julie. I also use several email addresses, but that adds its own issues. I’ve used the sorting (label) feature on Gmail to some benefit, and I make a serious effort to delete all my “Promotion” emails on a daily basis. Seems like we can’t participate in anything without providing an email address, and that leads to daily bombardments. Unsubscribing is questionable. A few years ago I was in charge of a “girls’ trip” and I had to text the girls to alert them to an emailed itinerary and updates; they rarely check their email accounts any more, since retiring. In my professional career, we used to survey all employees as to their communication preferences - face to face, email, etc., but we ended up using all the channels available!
Delete or send to scam unknown addresses. Wish subject line say who from …..I’ve been forced to order 2 new credit cards in 15 months due to identity theft.
can you explain?
One thing to be sure to do before clicking a link is to the the sender by going to the From (address) and checking to see who the sender really is.
If you’re asking to explain what commenting on: the post was “how do you manage your email?”
Great column!
Thanks, John!
Our family gang text encompasses three generations, 13 persons aged 12-78 scattered from DC to Portland, generates 10-20 items daily larded with humor, photos, videos and is a highlight of my life. I cannot imagine another vehicle that conveys so much for so many with such ease of effort.
Since largely retiring I no longer cold call anyone (except Cherie) as they are all busy and I was once instructed that even the briefest call includes bilateral civilities that put a MINIMUM 10-minute hole (counting recovery time) in the callee's day. Instead I text: "Please call me when convenient."---and about half of them do! Leaves open what to do when no response. The yield does improve a bit if I include the subject of the call.
You raise another wrinkle to this subject. Folks who are retired can get frustrated when attempting to text or email those who are still working. The retiree, with time on his/her hands, gets frustrated when not getting a response from a query. And, the one still working, raising a family etc. feels pressure and frustrated the elder doesn’t understand.
Exactly. Hence the texted solicitation for a call. If no response I rarely pursue with a cold call as the callee clearly has a different priority at the time; rather, a second solicitation at a later time, ideally evening after work and family have settled.
Beautifully articulated.
Julie Gammack's February 8th feature, "Emails, texts do not equal communication" makes great points for real face-to-face talking, or at least a serious phone conversation. Emails and texts are handy, but yes, they can cause serious misunderstandings, especially when in haste.
Today's Pearls Before Swine--- on junk mail!
https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2024/03/08
I have recently learned how to filter my gmail into folders - they go their automatically - and it is a life saver. (thank you, TechMadeSimple Substack!) Nonetheless, I would rather talk than type or text. Too much misinterpretation can happen in texting.
Is this it? https://techmadesimpleguide.substack.com/p/gmail-organizing-your-inbox-for-efficient
Yes! Very helpful. Good morning.
Julie you are totally spot on! I just decided this week to talk rather than text. Talking used to be a way of life! Sometimes too much, sometimes not enough but there was always the feint inflection or the tone that would speak volumes to the way the talking was going.
“where all tone, body language, and inflection are stripped away.”
Thank you!
How True! Body language carries at least 60% of the intended meaning - apparently closer to 95% in cases of misinterpretations - phones add hint of tone but body language is missing unless to you're using Facetime of Zoom which have their own limitations. For introverts like myself - in-body language is a limited clues for my intended meaning. Worked in supervision and middle management positions - I learned hide all forms expressions for personal emotions.
Thank You Julie for sharing an important reality during these turbulent times.
Thanks for your insights, Phillip
I am old enough to remember when group faxes were the new and greatest thing to send something to multiple people at once, compared to sending individually via postal mail. Then when someone invented “email,” we said, why would anyone want to do that? It sounds so complicated!
Now we are overloaded with emails and texts and my adult kids prefer I do not call them directly but text instead.
Thanks for introducing me to Substack, where at least anyone interested in what I have to say can find it!
BIG STANDING O from ME.
I really dislike emails. Unfortunately, my State Senator (Dennis Guth) has a habit of responding to my thoughtful emails by telling me I'm wrong about everything. My State Representative (Shannon Latham) does not respond to my emails at all.
My response this week was to file to run for the Iowa Senate, district 28. I promise, my communication style could not be more different than Sen. Guth's.
That Journalism degree from ISU comes in handy once in a while.
Congratulations and THANK YOU for running! Iowa needs you.
Oh wow Cynthia! Congratulations for stepping and running for office. My deep political bones tell me that this might be the year! Thank you and good luck!
Well, well, well! Good for you!
Thank you and we look forward to supporting you!
Julie- Now I suspect you are reading posts at the moment rather than e-mails. Perhaps you can enlighten us on how to actually reach Jeff/Jennifer Morrison by e-mail? You told me that they were the point of contact for the Letters from Iowans......but I have no phone number or e-mail for them, so that poses issues. Maybe that information is somewhere on the options, but I can't find it. Hmm...
jenni4iowa@gmail.com
Merci!
Thanks Julie. So true, and well said.
Thanks, Mary!
Bravo, Julie Gammack, bravo!!
To paraphrase Art, I will text you later!
LOLOLOLOLOL….
So many communication tools but we abound with misinformation, disinformation or no information. Nothing better than an in-person or phone conversation. Communication is a two-way dynamic. Thanks Julie for a worthwhile read.
Thanks, Mary. I hope it results in a few conversations.
I’m positive it will!