LikeTheDew.com

When did abbreviations and computerspeak/textspeak become acceptable language? I do not like to see someone (whether in person or on television) vomit, but I cringe more at the use of terms like veggie, hubby, carb, LOL, ROFL and many more that I haven’t the faintest clue of the meaning. I may have just dry heaved a bit even typing those “words.” Have we become so busy, self-important and impersonal that we cannot pronounce the proper word? Are teachers using this language in the classroom? If not, we are likely not far from it.

I have come to believe that the use of this language indeed separates people from people. It connotes a rushed life, a need to go on to the next task, a desire to stop the conversation. What response should I give to LOL? I have now often said, “Did you really laugh out loud?” I notice this annoys some people. And I am really not attempting to be sarcastic. I would just like people to realize that the words we use are important.

I see this everyday in my job. But more importantly, I see it everyday with strangers. When I go on my daily workweek walk through the park I am eager to say hello to everyone I pass. It is odd how often I see people obliviously listening to music (they still know a person just said hello), looking down at their shoes to avoid eye contact, refusing to say hello back even though they surely heard my greeting, talking on the phone and even a few times reading a book or magazine whilst walking (yes, I have seen it more than once). Those that respond to my greetings are either in shock that someone spoke to them or are people like me that understand human contact is essential to life.

So please get out of your self important technical lives and realize that in essence we only have each other in life. Look people in the eyes. Say hello, hi, hey, howdy, how ya doing or good morning (even if it isn’t morning). You may realize that people are far more interesting than any technical gadget. And you may realize that something is actually funny and not just LOL.