In The World of Texting Have We Lost the Art of Talking?

I've just spent 7 days with a wonderful mix of older and younger people. What I observed was that the young people (in their 20's and 30's) don't know how to engage in social conversation. This became particularly evident when my brother commented, "Not one person has asked me what I do."

We shared our common experience of asking others about themselves and their life and finding the conversation would end there. They either aren't curious about us or they just aren't used to face to face conversations. That feels sad to me because we miss out on enriching conversations when we don't engage with each other. For instance they would have learned my brother is an award winning leather worker. He was commissioned to go to the Arctic to teach some of his skills to local artisans, to enrich their skills. He has two stores and a studio in the Ottawa area. When the late actor and comedian, John Candy, was shopping in Ottawa and saw Michael's work he called Michael and ordered a custom piece.

Everyone has a story inside of them. But we have to be curious to discover it. Texting,emailing and online chatting seem to be robbing our young people of face to face skills. At least that's how I see it, in my humble opinion. This isn't sour grapes... I just feel a sense of sadness as I have a desire to really connect with people.

P.S.. Thursday May 10th, the wedding day, was also Mother's Day in Mexico. When I came out of my room that morning, the maid ran over and embraced me and warmly said, "Happy Mother's Day!" (only it was in Spanish). I think I connected with her at a deeper level in that hug than I did with some of the people in our group all week.

Pic.. our pretty room.....on the bed is a towel person. I watched the maid that day make it with much care.