The lost art of communication (IMHO*)
and how it could be affecting your union’s solidarity

By Deb Rigiero

AISI the art of QSO is becoming extinct. More and more PPL are using short hand to communicate. AAMOF UR probably thinking this is just one big typo, (unless you have children). TMOT, this is no mistake. :-D

Confused? Well you are not alone. Here is what the above paragraph actually says: As I see it, the art of conversation is becoming extinct. More and more people are using short hand to communicate. As a matter of fact, you are probably thinking this is just one big typo, (unless you have children). Trust me on this, this is no mistake (laughter).

For you parents out there, I am sure you can relate to this. Often, I will see my son “texting” someone on his phone. Come to find out, he is texting his older brother who is upstairs. Instead of conversing, or even yelling at each other, they now communicate without speaking. I realize that there are different ways of communicating, but it used to be either 1) verbal or 2) nonverbal.

Now there is “texting,” the vast majority of which is done using symbols.

• :-@ (Scream)
• ;-) (Winking smile)
• :-! (This means you have put your foot in your mouth)
• IF YOU COMMUNICATE IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS YOU ARE YELLING!

With all of this texting, my fear is that my children, or their children, are going to lose the art of expressive communication. But I’m also afraid for my colleagues and fellow union members. This new style of communication is bound to have a powerful impact on how we do our jobs and how we work with each other. In fact, many days I wonder if “texting” means we will stop talking to each other all together.How do you tell if someone is being sarcastic in an e-mail message?

How can you tell if someone is lying in an e-mail message? How do you know that you are being understood when you send an e-mail message? And what will this mean for your union solidarity?

Communication is changing. Many workplaces now only communicate via e-mail. It doesn’t matter if you are in the next room or on the next continent, e-mail communication is instant but, as a result, we are working in isolated environments.

For many RNs, the central nurse’s station is a thing of the past. We now have individual work stations where you can chart, plan your patients’ care and communicate with MDs and families without talking to your colleagues. How many of you take your lunch (if you get one) alone in a small conference room on the floor in front of a computer? How well do you even know your co-workers these days?

I think it is important that we adjust to the technological changes that we will inevitably face in our lives and careers, because not all technology is bad. Imagine how much shorter this article would be if I used text messaging abbreviations? How many trees could I have saved?

I realize that as a society we are conversing less often with people. We are all busy, we are multitasking, and sometimes it is easier to leave a message than actually talk to someone. But how can we fight this in order to protect our union solidarity? The answer is mapping… you get to know your co-workers and speak to them on a one-on-one basis by mapping. There is an exchange of information and ideas. There is actual conversation, not virtual conversation. Virtual conversation is a good way to communicate information that does not require discussion, but it is no replacement for real conversation. And real conversation is what you need for union solidarity.

Anyways, this is .02 (my two cents worth). I know there may be some of you out there who are doing this ’:-) (one eyebrow raised) or ZZZZ (bored), but hopefully some of you are LQTY (laughing quietly to yourself). In any event, this is just something to think about.

(*In My Humble Opinion)

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