Jump to content

Informal survey

Recommended Posts

Guest *Ste***cque**

I hear a lot of complaints about people not reading your website before contacting you or sending abrupt texts asking for rates, menu, etc.

 

I don't subscribe to or understand this behaviour and I started wondering if it might be a generational thing. I don't want to stereotype a group but on average would you suspect it is more millennials (born 80's to 2000's), gen x or boomers that typically exhibit this behaviour? Would you even know?

 

I shouldn't say this but I wonder if it's more millennials who grew up with computers and technologies encouragement of abbreviated communication and distracted reading. I know boomers also use computers but I suspect many of us still retain "old school" communication styles.

 

Just curious. No offence intended to you youngsters. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I once had someone who called me. He kept saying he could not access my website. It turns out - the "you must be over 18", was his issue. He could not seem to understand that he had to hit submit. Yes, he was in the "before computers generation".

 

However, it does seem that there is a generation who feels the "I want to know now, don't want to read, don't want to click the links", seems to think that they can just send a text with "hey, u there, wats up". They find the phone number, look at the pictures, and that's it. They just stop reading, and send off a text.

 

I've even had some ask specific questions, to which I ask "have you read my (insert specific page) on my website?", and they reply "no". So I ask them to go back and read it, and they come back with the same question they asked originally. The only way to reach my phone number is via my website or my profile page. I don't post it on my ads. So, they know how to click a link to get my website, but get lazy once they find my phone number.

 

I'm not sure if it because they can't read, but I suspect they are lazy. The instant gratification generation.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest Prufrock Cummings

I heard about a recent study in the UK that 40% of Milennials do not know how to change a lightbulb. I guess we can give them the benefit the of the doubt that light bulbs last longer now than they used to, but wow, really?

 

Last month I asked my youngest niece and nephew to provide me with some information of theirs so that when I meet my lawyer and investment broker this week, I can have my Last Will and Testiment match my investments so that when I die, there will be no tax issues or hassles, they will just revive a nice big fat cheque each. This is the same niece and nephew who have never said thank you for a birthday gift, a Christmas gift, graduation gift, etc so i didn't hold my breath expecting them to reply promptly (but a little part of me though that a little greed might motivate them)

 

Now that a month has gone by for them to respond to maybe 2 minutes of info request, I have heard nothing. I do not want to cancel my two appointments this week, so I thought wow, to hell with their laziness, I won't bother putting my lawyer and investment broker on hold; I will put the Millenials on hold!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I take everything said about Millennials with a grain of salt. I feel I'm not in the norm. Saying Millennials are all the same is like saying all old people still haven't learned how to change the time on their microwave.

  • Like 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Personally speaking, I have mellianials in my own family who are grown up now so I understand about the instant gratification generation. They grew up learning how to use the internet and computer games as early as 3 years old so I believe it's the technology they grew up with and this is simply what they are familiar with as early as they can remember.

 

I grew up in generation x and was taught to respect and revere my elders, to say please and thank you, etc. We did not have the technology and social media as we do now and this plays a huge role in how we communicate with people.

 

Suffice to say I don't think they know any better but I would like to think that parents have taught their millenials manners but with everything that is at the click of a button, there can be a sense of self entitlement.

 

I know this all too well. Instead of being in the same house face to face when they visit for dinner, now you get a text message from upstairs asking what's for dinner. They don't actually call ( only when they REALLY want something and can't get you by text...lol) and only text. It's like pulling teeth to do it the old fashioned way. Lol

 

I don't see anyone under 30 in my business anymore but I've heard from other ladies, it's the "Hey babe" or "Hey". Hey means "hi" now. Anytime I get a text like that I know it's a younger person or someone in their early thirties.. Best way for someone who doesn't read is to get them to call you....the old fashioned way where you can explain everything in 2-3 mins instead of this back and forth b.s. where some guys will try to draw it out as long as a half hour by not responding to your text right away.

 

I don't deal with that. That's when you find out how serious they are in booking is by asking them to call to book. Most of the time those I have dealt with don't bother to call as requested.. I like the older guys because they fall under the generation where they have the communication style where it's more direct, to the point and more personable where there a mutual exchange in terms of discussing an encounter as opposed to "What can you do for me?".

 

I am only speaking from personal experience but have dealt with some younger guys who have been polite and took the time to read my site, etc. I do believe generations have certain actions or belief patterns and with each generation, it's something different. In this case, technology has changed people and how they communicate with one another.

  • Like 4

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think it is more polite and accurate to say, "The majority of these people..."

As appose to, "These people..."

You can generalize a group of people but stating that "all" about a certain group of people is inaccurate and can sometimes be construed as abrasive to those who may not fall under the norm in the specific group being discussed.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I think it is more polite and accurate to say, "The majority of these people..."

As appose to, "These people..."

You can generalize a group of people but stating that "all" about a certain group of people is inaccurate and can sometimes be construed as abrasive to those who may not fall under the norm in the specific group being discussed.

 

I don't think anyone is generalizing here and found that they were posting based on their own personal experiences. For example: Dealing with a lot of the "Hey" messages.... that's how some of them approach people through text. It wouldn't be my style of how I would approach someone when requesting information for an encounter but this seems to be the trend. Not everyone is like this but in our business and fielding text messages, one could not say this is how a lot of people in that specific age group use the word "Hey" via text message.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree with your last statement. It is true. I use "Hey" when speaking with or about my friends outside of work or the industry. However, with business or in the industry I prefer to use "Hi" or "Hello."

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Heading towards the middle-aged stage, I find communicating with somebody 20 years younger or older equally exciting, as long as they are clear. Technology has changed so much but it's easy to be playful and proficient simultaneously.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I suggest a lot of the lack of communication skills from young ones is also the use of so much texting.

 

I am an old baby boomer. I avoid any escort that says "text only". I just can not type any intelligent message in any reasonable time on a tiny little pad (even on my Nikia 1520 windows phone). I admire how some folks can make the fingers dance on those tiny spots but I guess I'm too old to learn the tricks. If I speed up I spend more time backspacing and typing over than going forward.

 

I am use to large keyboards and when I travel with my laptop I take my wireless big keyboard with me vs even the laptop keyboard. Since my cell service is usually faster than hotel wi-fi I use cell phone as a hotspot and connect with laptop connected to full-size keyboard.

 

I did recently get a fold-out Bluetooth keyboard that if I HAVE to text I can use a decent sized keyboard which is more like a laptop.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I suggest a lot of the lack of communication skills from young ones is also the use of so much texting.

 

I am an old baby boomer. I avoid any escort that says "text only". I just can not type any intelligent message in any reasonable time on a tiny little pad (even on my Nikia 1520 windows phone). I admire how some folks can make the fingers dance on those tiny spots but I guess I'm too old to learn the tricks. If I speed up I spend more time backspacing and typing over than going forward.

 

I am use to large keyboards and when I travel with my laptop I take my wireless big keyboard with me vs even the laptop keyboard. Since my cell service is usually faster than hotel wi-fi I use cell phone as a hotspot and connect with laptop connected to full-size keyboard.

 

I did recently get a fold-out Bluetooth keyboard that if I HAVE to text I can use a decent sized keyboard which is more like a laptop.

 

Like you I don't text much, only with ladies I already know, and then it's for convenience. I'm sure with today's technology you can find an ap or phone that you could always dictate the text to fill in the message for texting.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

Great point! I am going to research it more.

The Windows 10 Anniversary Update gives Cortana some fancy new abilities. Among them is the option to send and receive SMS text messages from an Android or Windows phone

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think that technology, and in particular social media has simply changed the way people approach communication. We are in the IM, PM, FB Message era. Calling and emailing are old school technologies. They are too formal and therefore too much work. Web sites are one-way communications, which is becoming as antiquated as reading a newspaper ad. If someone wants info, they ask. They don't go find it.

 

I see this in my own world, as I administer some facebook pages for some other businesses. 24 hours a day, there are questions like "What time is X location open until?" (Let me go to their website, look it up and answer you). "Does Y location have product Z in stock?" (Let me call them and ask them. I'll let you know.)

 

Messaging is an informal conversation that doesn't require the niceties of email or calls. It's instant and to the point. It's communication at it's simplest. I don't think that this is limited to the new generation either, although they are usually the driving force that shape new technologies.

 

There is one other motivation that may factor into it in regards to this industry though. Many may simply be trying to open up a conversation, as opposed to looking for info that is already available. This may mean that they are tire kickers, but it also may mean that they are simply inexperienced at "the opening", leaving it to you to establish a rapport. I would never take this approach myself as I have 8 years of experience reading threads like this that tell me I shouldn't. ;) Many do not have that advantage.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Being a millennial... one, I want y'all to remember who raised us if you're that annoyed at the things we don't know ;-). (haha)

 

But also, two, is emailing the more neutral option then? I personally dislike phone calls- perhaps I was unlucky starting up, but I got so many threatening and violent phone calls that I absolutely refused to pick up my work cell, and tried texting and email for awhile... but texting again seemed to encourage an onslaught of threats so I went with email.

 

Which I think, even the older generation comprehends how to use and any serious under-30's don't mind using? We all had to email an employer or or teacher or doctor or something at at least ONE point...

 

Just after reading the explanation that text-only hinders some folks, I'm hoping my "email only" doesn't hinder too many (especially if I give my number out after the first meet?).

 

Hmmmm.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

No form of contact can match face to face.

-Fax is almost obsolete.

-Skype is a pain in the butt.

-a phone call requires both parties to be available for a conversation.

 

Texting is the new email but much better.

Text is a quick and convenient way to exchange information, news and jokes. You can send a message at any moment even if your friend isn't available at the time since they can later answer and respond. With texting you can send images and videos and with our busy lifestyles it's a great way to just keep in contact with family, friends and acquaintances. Text messaging is download-free, you don't need an internet connection and the message is sent immediately. It's discreet and record keeping. Besides my grandmother, who doesn't own a cell phone and doesn't have it around them nowadays?

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

"-a phone call requires both parties to be available for a conversation"

 

Not really, voice mail works well in my view. I almost always leave long detailed messages why I called but often the "your time is up" message comes on too fast for long winded Dave. Why just leave a name and phone when you can save time by communicating what you were going to on the call, especially in business.

 

A problem is sometimes a person I called returns my call seeing my caller ID while I am still leaving a message in voice mail or shortly after and hasn't heard the voice mail yet.

 

No form of communcations is perfect!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, please sign in.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...