E-mail or call? A Gen Z perspective
Our 17 year old guest blogger is back - with some tips on communication!
I’m a teen who’d rather e-mail or text than call. I prefer these methods because the messages are always there. If the person is away from their computer or phone, just a quick scroll can reach what I sent. But that’s not the only reason I prefer an e-mail or text.
In a previous blog, my dad wrote about how a phone call is more valuable than an e-mail or text. While I agree that a phone call is better in some situations, I also believe there are times when a phone call doesn’t work.
A call can catch somebody off guard: An e-mail or text can act as an introduction to a topic. When typing an e-mail, you have more time to fully form a response and convey the message. If a call is necessary, you can schedule a call via e-mail or text. The reason many in my generation are aggravated whenever called without expecting it is because it catches them off guard. Asking via text if somebody can talk is typically preferred.
Digital records provide a go-to reference: Do you ever call somebody and months later forget what was said? Maybe you wrote it down, but the paper is lost now. An e-mail provides a digital record of what was said. E-mails can hold important information for as long as the account is active. There have been times when I’ve heard something in class about a date months in advance, and I forget the date. But I can check my e-mail and usually find an email that includes the date.
Texts and e-mails are quick: Quick to create, quick to receive, and quick to reply, text and e-mails are typically more time efficient. Of course, some people don’t reply quickly, but it’s the same risk that is taken while calling a person who doesn’t pick up the phone, drags out phone calls, or puts you on hold. E-mails don’t take time to ring through, and anybody who checks their e-mail regularly can quickly get back with a response instead of facing the calendar dance of trying to organize a time to make a call or in-person meeting.
In reality, there isn’t a right answer to this argument. I’m rather trying to convey why I (and many others around my age) prefer e-mail or text. Trying to force somebody to make a phone call when they don’t feel it’s necessary can cause worse results than an e-mail. While sending an e-mail to somebody who doesn’t check their e-mail will get you nowhere. In the end, the best answer is to communicate however the other person prefers!