talk talk talk

If you're one of those people who assume Communication students are pro communicators then you would be... wrong. No amount of interpersonal/intercultural communication papers will ever help me out in the real world. You can't study it. So everyone who thinks they're quick-witted by making the 'first' joke about my degree can sit the flip down.

Communication will always always always be one of those grey areas that we're all a little bit shit at from time to time. Understandably. And now with all the social networking and texting that goes on you'd expect everyone to step up their game. But that's not necessarily true either. I'll bet you a hundred bucks I'm not the only one with her hand up when it comes to fights over text or facebook. Things just seem SO much harder to resolve when your this :S gets confused for this :( or this ;) for this :*. Danger-zone I tell ya.

But the thing that just gets me the most is gossip. Yes we all love to indulge in a little bit of harmless chatter from time to time... but breaking someone's confidence just because you get a kick out of being the kid with the fresh news is pretty stink really. I'd like to think I'm one of those people who my friends can come to and tell me anything and know that if they say "don't say anything" then I won't. My problem here is I expect the same from them as well. Call me naive, whatever, but isn't that what we all should expect from our friends? Ponder that thought a minute while your trapped in the dirty bathroom of your local pub while one friend busts out all the news that isn't really theirs to tell.

This brings me to our other issue. Second-hand news. Another form of gossip, but normally the news is good stuff not bad I'm-really-not-supposed-to-tell-you-this kinda stuff. Yes it's all good to be excited for your friends and spread the joy but how much more fun is it revealing your exciting news in front of a group of your besties?! Answer: So much more fun then having it spread like wildfire as it's past second, third and fourth hand throughout the group. Plus you're mates will love you all the more for it.

I guess the point of this story is, be straight up. Don't indulge in pointless chatter just to elevate yourself as the alpha male, the all-knowing, all-seeing head of the group. Not cool. And face to face communication will always win out over electronics. There's nothing better than seeing the excitement on your friend's faces when you tell them that the best part of your week was being given a free Range Rover. (Sooo did not happen to me this week but if anyone has one spare that they don't mind donating... :) )