what does this "personal" mean?

[joychow1985]

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Telephones and email have made communication between people less personal. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

and could u share ur opinion about the topic with me?

thanks in advance~~~ ^ ^

[Whickerman]

I've just changed jobs, but in the one I've just come from there were 3 of us in an office. The primary method of communication between us was email. I could turn around and touch the other two, but we emailed each other rather than talking.

[joychow1985]

thank u, Whickerman~~~

so, u mean u and the other 2 chat less personally?

[woofgang]

umm see one of my closest work colleagues is in the same ofice as me and the other one is eleven miles away. Email and the telephone have made our communication more personal than if we had to communicate by letter....in fact we couldn't share work and plans as quickly and work as closely as we do without email and phones

[Miss Zippy]

You often hear of people getting dumped by text or e-mail so that is probably a good example of modern methods of communication being less personal. I think that to a certain extent, banter with colleagues via e-mail has replaced congregating round the coffee machine for a quick gossip. On the upside, e-mail and text messaging has enabled me to keep in touch with distant friends over many years.

[Kingaroo]

I think you are very wise to have titled your question as you did. It really is just a question of how you define "personal." Also, it depends what you're comparing it to -- less personal than what? Writing letters? Sleeping together? Marching into the complaint desk with a faulty appliance in your hand? Seeing each other once a year at family weddings and funerals?

Personal = intimate? I have had some very "personal" conversations by phone and e-mail. But the statement seems to imply that back in the good old days when you had to travel to another city to see someone and talk in person, there was a more desirable level of intimacy. I disagree. I think it is nice to be able to keep in touch with friends without being in the same room. For example, soldiers at war, or children away at college, or sweethearts separated by work assignments, can share their experiences and stay up to date with loved ones every day.

Personal = you know the identity of the person you're communicating with?? In this case I'd agree. I talk to many shop clerks, government officials, office assistants, AnswerBank posters, etc on the phone or by internet without knowing anything about them -- their name, gender, level of integrity or honesty, after-work habits, etc. It is easier to remain anonymous by phone or e-mail than face-to-face. But really, how much would you learn about the lady at the city hall information desk if you wrote her a letter?

Personal = the opposite of business related?

Personal = you take responsibility for your statements?

Personal = based on your looks or other attributes, rather than the way you wish to present yourself?

There are many ways to interpret the question, & to answer it!