The Story

You are so excited about your date tonight just to spend time with him talking.  It’s been a long week and you haven’t had much time to speak with your honey.  You are looking forward to some face to face time and that is not by smartphone.  Your schedule has been so tight lately and tonight you just want to relax, eat good food, and talk.  You are meeting him at the restaurant.  You enter one of your favorite places with a slight giddiness. As you get closer to the table you notice he is extremely engrossed in his phone and doesn’t even look up when you arrive to sit down.  He is on his phone as usual.  As you take your seat you think “Not tonight Sir!”

The Issue…

In today’s busy world of technology, it gets a little confusing about what communication is.  When a man text “Nice to meet you.” and you have never set eyes on him that’s a problem.  Things are moving so fast we call email snail mail.  If we don’t get an answer to a text right away we freak out.  And if the two-day wait game is played after a new date, it is just unbearable.  What has happened to just simple talking and how do we fix it?

 

Here are some solutions…

What we want to do is connect with the person we are with when we are around them.  These nifty gadgets called smartphones are making us dumb when it comes to communication.  Let’s try changing that. A simple sweet and soft reminder that both of you are there to enjoy each other’s company is a good way to start. Actively remove each of your phones from the table and enjoy your evening together, with each other.

Keep It Short

Texting is a great tool for short messages or reminders of dates, times, and events.  Texting is not talking.  Nor does it need to replace talking.  If it is a quick text that’s wonderful.  An “I was just thinking about you.”  text is always appreciated in a busy hectic day.  I know I love them.  If the text turns into a complete conversation, this is not good.  Text a short message and then look forward to a full conversation later that evening.

Use Your Imagination

If you have planned a day to be with each other, set the stage ahead of time.  Make it fun. A game of “If you are caught on your phone there is a penalty”.  Use your imagination and you decide the penalty.

Its All About The Connection

Talking with the one you are with or even a first date is special. Most of all connect with the person across from you.  Get to know them.  Ask them questions.  Be adventurous and step out of the social media box.  We have a lot to say to each other.  We are all interesting people.  Don’t be afraid of the silence, just breathe it in and relax.

So get out there and start talking!

Remember practice makes perfect.  Get out there and practice these solutions.  Finally, just start talking the more you do it the better you will become and you will do it with ease.   Tell a friend so you have some accountability and get out there and start communicating!  You can also join our Facebook Group, place your comments in this blog post thread, and tell us what you did and how it went.

 

Tell me what you think or ideas you have about communication.  Are you a good communicator?  What one idea can you put into practice?  Leave a comment below and if you haven’t joined our mailing list subscribe here.  Talk to you soon.