Some really good points, I hadn't really thought about how face-to-face communication is slowly disappearing.
The
“airport ipad restaurant,” where you sit down ungreeted, swipe your card, touch an image of a the meal you want, and at some point a person appears and places it in front of you.
brings to mind the way the McDonalds in my area are being converted. You order at a touch screen, and the employees bring the food to you. There are still counters, but they strongly discourage you from using them, primarily by not having anyone at the registers.
Nothing new here, it reminds me of the automats that existed before my time and had slowly phased out of existence by the time I was a child. I've read about them, now they're back with a vengeance and modern technology.
I'm highly opposed to those screens that are now all over airports. I've been to some airports where they're literally in front of every single seat in every single restaurant, and since the seats (and iPads) can't be moved, you have to eat within inches of an iPad flashing in your face. Completely f'd up.
This is great. As someone who moves a ton I am that person who will keep inviting people I meet to IRL gatherings until it works.
You have to be relentless nowadays to nurture face-to-face relationships and grow community. I have had people thank me for always inviting them until it works with their schedule, it seems to be a lost art and this is a nice quick read to inspire you to pick up the phone and make IRL plans.
I agree, it is an art and one certainly worth cultivating. Based on your comments, I feel you would be an asset where ever you move. Let’s keep the connections going!
This is a 10, in my opinion. I feel I am the lone voice because I LOVE grocery shopping! I know everyone in the produce department and talk to complete strangers each time I shop. I help shorter people who can’t quite reach the back of a top shelf; older people who can’t locate an item or who are embarrassed with how slow they are in the checkout line. I always assure them I’m NOT in a hurry. I’ll even allow someone who has less items to go ahead of me. The other day I gave my gas discount to a stranger. I add money if a person is short and on it goes. My kids can get frustrated because I do know all the wait staff and talk to them when dining out. I LOVE connection and I won’t cave to the “automated” person-less way of doing. We all need to be seen and heard. Living from the heart heightens everything.
I've been working as a cashier at a tool store for a few years now. It leads to a lot of face-to-face conversations, usually about the customer's projects. They seem really happy to talk, perhaps this is a major part of their human interaction for the day...
Yes, I agree. It’s great if you are receptive to it. I’m sure you are fun and interesting to interact with. For me, it’s a natural and simple thing to do. I like people. And connecting with strangers is fascinating.
It may not be a global crisis yet, but human interaction is definitely becoming rarer, and it’s hard to see how the trend will reverse itself, if each generation grows up less accustomed to face-to-face exchange than the last. I just think we should keep a protective eye out for human interaction, so it doesn’t slip away while we’re doing something else.
Some really good points, I hadn't really thought about how face-to-face communication is slowly disappearing.
The
brings to mind the way the McDonalds in my area are being converted. You order at a touch screen, and the employees bring the food to you. There are still counters, but they strongly discourage you from using them, primarily by not having anyone at the registers.
Nothing new here, it reminds me of the automats that existed before my time and had slowly phased out of existence by the time I was a child. I've read about them, now they're back with a vengeance and modern technology.
I'm highly opposed to those screens that are now all over airports. I've been to some airports where they're literally in front of every single seat in every single restaurant, and since the seats (and iPads) can't be moved, you have to eat within inches of an iPad flashing in your face. Completely f'd up.
Welcome to Newark .... it drives me crazy. Screens should be options not unavoidable.
I was unaware of this - how depressing! I hate TV’s in restaurants too. It’s like people are afraid of intimacy!
Worth the four minutes. So many beautiful interactions slip sliding away.
This is great. As someone who moves a ton I am that person who will keep inviting people I meet to IRL gatherings until it works.
You have to be relentless nowadays to nurture face-to-face relationships and grow community. I have had people thank me for always inviting them until it works with their schedule, it seems to be a lost art and this is a nice quick read to inspire you to pick up the phone and make IRL plans.
I agree, it is an art and one certainly worth cultivating. Based on your comments, I feel you would be an asset where ever you move. Let’s keep the connections going!
This is a 10, in my opinion. I feel I am the lone voice because I LOVE grocery shopping! I know everyone in the produce department and talk to complete strangers each time I shop. I help shorter people who can’t quite reach the back of a top shelf; older people who can’t locate an item or who are embarrassed with how slow they are in the checkout line. I always assure them I’m NOT in a hurry. I’ll even allow someone who has less items to go ahead of me. The other day I gave my gas discount to a stranger. I add money if a person is short and on it goes. My kids can get frustrated because I do know all the wait staff and talk to them when dining out. I LOVE connection and I won’t cave to the “automated” person-less way of doing. We all need to be seen and heard. Living from the heart heightens everything.
I've been working as a cashier at a tool store for a few years now. It leads to a lot of face-to-face conversations, usually about the customer's projects. They seem really happy to talk, perhaps this is a major part of their human interaction for the day...
Yes, I agree. It’s great if you are receptive to it. I’m sure you are fun and interesting to interact with. For me, it’s a natural and simple thing to do. I like people. And connecting with strangers is fascinating.
Upvote.
Great article. I love interacting with people everywhere I go. And technology is not going to change that fact.