Wednesday 3 March 2010

GET THE MESSAGE?

To my amazement, I still encounter people who choose not to embrace e-mail and who continue to doggedly use snail-mail. I heard one such person remark that in their opinion, e-mails were for those people who can't be bothered to use the telephone.

I would take issue with that. In the first place, sending an e-mail is free compared to making a phone call. Much more importantly though, a phone call is so intrusive.

There I am, right in the middle of cutting my fingernails when the blessed phone rings. Is this the call to tell me of my long lost relative who sadly died but left me a fortune in his will? Nope. It's that firm who call me roughly every 2 weeks and ask to speak to the person who used to live here over 4 years ago. You can imagine how polite I am as I explain their error for the 382nd time.

The wondrous thing about e-mails is that I can deal with them when I have the time and inclination to do so. Of course the phone has it's place. (Mine is just to the right of the TV). It's primary purpose is to contact someone from whom you need an immediate answer - such as when you're cheating during a quiz.

One of the ways I while my time away is by teaching ladies of advancing years how to use their computers. I recently bestowed the power of e-mails onto an 83 year old who is now e-mailing away with her numerous grandchildren.

As she said to me yesterday (in an e-mail) 'I feel rather proud of myself'. I just feel a warm glow.

3 comments:

  1. I recently downloaded a little program of sound effects dogs cats trains flushing toilet etc. So when I get one of "those calls" I can click on the sound I want and out of the computer speakers . I probably shouldn't mess with the telemarketers like that Oh well

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  2. I say go for it, Joe Todd!

    As for the glow.... I feel that every day too. I think it's called menopause.

    Di
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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  3. I absolutely love it when older, you know, QUITE old people, learn to use email. I think it's just wonderful! :-)

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