Sometimes computers can be challenging for me - new programs, new apps, new ways to do things. This can boggle the mind of a middle aged woman who likes people better than technology. However, I have come to the conclusion that if I want to stay on top of things, I have to figure this all out. After all, I am a self professed life long learner. So, I figure if ya can’t beat ‘em - join ‘em.
Therein lies the problem. There are times I can’t figure it all out and I need help. So I seek out advice. First I try my children - they are young adults and should know these things, right? If they don’t know how to do something, my adorable, smart son-in-law surely does! He’s very knowledgeable about so many things. He’s also the guy that looks something up if he doesn’t know how to do it. Not me! I need someone to walk me through the steps : first you do this, then this and finally this! Then, I want that person to watch me do it again to make sure I get it! I also need that person to be on call 24/7 so when I forget, they can ever so patiently remind me what to do! Ask any of the younger teachers at my former school about me when a “New and Improved” computer program for grades or lessons would be handed to us to use. I would trade computer tutoring for classroom management anyday! For real!
One of the things that challenges my most inner being is not being able to talk to a REAL person when I need help. If I call a company to inquire about something - or if I am using the company’s website and start a chat,
I do not want to talk to a “bot” or “listen to my options - press 1 for this and press 2 for that…” I need help! I am probably already stressed and delaying my anxiety over the problem will not help my patience and tone by the time I finally DO get to a REAL person!
What has happened to all the REAL people out there? Are we hiding behind our technology so much that we have forgotten about simple interaction and customer service?
Even in our daily lives! I am guilty of this and have been called out on it. I get so caught up on my phone or my computer that I ignore what is going on around me. We, and I include myself in this, need to work on this growing problem. We need to put our phones down and be real! Be real to the people having conversations with you. Be real to the strangers who ask you questions. Let’s put our technology away and get back to being concerned with the humans around us and not as much with how many humans “liked” our status or who texts us back! BTW, is our status the REAL us anyway or only the way we want to be seen?
Years ago (as our kids all started getting phones) when our family would get together at Christmas or other holidays, my dad would have a basket for us all to put our phones in during our stay. We rolled our eyes but obliged - he was the boss! It was so important to him that we enjoyed each other’s company. He stated that we didn’t all get together very often and we should focus on the people around us - our family! We would return to “our worlds” soon enough - could we please give it a break for a bit! He was right. In a time when we gripe about not “talking to real people” we weren’t even talking to the REAL people standing in front of our faces.
We’ve got to get better, my friends! Technology has taken our identities away! Let’s work on being real - spending real time together and being real humans! Furthermore, when we FINALLY are connected to a REAL person in customer service, let’s be REAL to them - be thankful they aren’t a “bot.”
Do you unplug or take many breaks from your technology? Have you ever not heard part of a conversation because you were so focused on your phone that you are zoned out? Has anyone called you out on it? How can you/we change that? Take an “unplug challenge” and spend a day , ½ day or even a meal without checking your phone. Think about your life back when you didn’t have the technology you have today. How was it different? Let’s do this! Let’s be real again!