Socializing – What ever Happen to Meeting Someone for Coffee or Drinks?

Socializing

Something I have come to realize, not that I wasn’t aware of it before, just that I really did not pay attention to it. The thing I noticed, is people really do not socialize any more. Everything is done through emails, social sites, such as Face Book, My Space, Link In and many other social sites out there that maybe don’t get the media attention they should. But, I remember a time when people went out, got together with friends, for some drinks, places where you met other people, maybe leading to a date or maybe a new friend. Sometimes the club scene was a place to go and meet that possible special someone, ok, maybe that is now far behind us and maybe you can’t meet the Ms. Right or Mr. Right at clubs, but it doesn’t mean you didn’t have fun doing it. Maybe at church gatherings, or a BBQ at a friends house, something outside your home, where you actually interact with people.

See now, a day’s people use the Internet and social sites to share, pictures, thoughts, send happy birthdays and so much more. The actual human interaction is no longer there. I mean, when you are at work, how many times do you actually say “Good Morning” to someone or a simple hello. I think in years to come, people might have an issue with human interaction. Ok, I am not trying to take it to the extreme, just saying that we have come to rely on computers for everything and we simply sit at our computers and email someone a happy birthday or upload pictures to a site. Then in return we go onto friend’s and family’s site and look at pictures, comments placed by friends or family just to see what’s new in their life. I remember when cell phones were big, people were on the phone talking all the time for hours, but never bothering to actually see a friend. Now, we have Text Messaging, so forget hearing a human voice, we now see encrypted text messages, such as, “ROFL, :oP (funny faces), OMG, TMI, LOL, and so many more characters”.

Social sites and how we communicate these days, is incredible. The funny thing is, I am a HUGE person on communication between people, couples and marriage; but you know when you log into a social site and read what your loved one is thinking or doing, then I think lack of communication has been taken to a whole new level. I mean if you can’t sit with your significant other and talk person to person, but instead both of you sit at a computer looking at each others Face book and laugh about what happen to them that day, I mean all through a social network, is that now the new fad on relationships.

Does anyone remember Judge Dredd, with Sylvester Stallone, in the movie if you recall Sandra Bullock character explained that intimacy was no longer required/allowed and it was a whole Utopia kind a of world; well don’t be surprised if we continue on this path to social sites and no human interaction, that we will end up just like that. Oi.

So come folks, Peeps, Homies, Compadres, distinguished ladies and gentlemen…lets get out and mingle with live humans. So, everyone get up and go out…don’t be shy and share your thoughts, pictures and happy birthdays - in person.

My Perspective:
Social sites are great, and I am not knocking them out…ok. I just think that people need not replace these sites with actual human interaction. I know sometimes family or friends are far away in other cities, other states maybe other countries, but you know. If you can take a few hours to drive to visit with them, do so, take with you a photo album, share your ideas and experiences. Ok some of us don’t get along with family or maybe friends for that matter and actually sitting with them can lead to huge arguments, but we can’t let a few bad apples push us away from interacting with people or letting someone shoot you down because you believe in something else than they do…I mean everyone is entitled to their opinion, belief, can you imagine how boring it would be if everyone agreed on everything, one color, one type of drink, one channel…no…variety makes life interesting and how we handle the criticism, the arguments or the lemons that are thrown at us is what makes us stronger and more open minded to the many wonderful things that life has to offer. Enjoy Face Book, enjoy the email and text messages, but don’t forget how enjoyable it is talking to someone in person, laughing, seeing there facial expressions, their reactions and just simply enjoying their company….I would rather sit in person, and talk to a person, have a drink, maybe a cup of coffee, a beer, a glass of wine, what ever makes each person happy…talk, listen, laugh, learn and most importantly enjoy the company.

Thanks for reading, till next time Latino Man signing off, and remember, next time you think about emailing, texting, or placing a post on your Face Book Wall, stop and call the person, get together with them and enjoy each others company.