Can Emails, SMSs Touch Others Emotion Like A Letter Written On A Paper?
Posted: Tuesday, March 17, 2009
by Chiradeep
e-Counseling
The answer to the above question is a straight NO!
I remember when I got a letter by post from my uncle after I stood first in the state level Sunday School Exam. I read that letter may be hundreds of times. I used to keep it in my pocket for several days. I was even very alert to take it out of my pocket and keep it safe before I take bath.
"If you really want to touch someone, send them a letter."
How true it is. But then I was thinking when the same person writes the same thing in different mediums why it touches people in a different emotional level? Why the paper written letter talks to you in a more personal way than emails & SMSs? I found out the following reasons:
1. Hand Written: Emails & SMSs are not hand written. Except the emotion in it everything else is electronically, graphically received. But the handwriting, the curvy sentences, the corrections, the ink spots describe the writer or the sender of the letter which talks to the reader or receiver in a more personal way.
2. More Time Spent: we take more time writing a letter on paper than emails. Forget about SMSs. The time we spent on writing a personal letter shows the concern of the sender towards the receiver and it moves the heart of the receiver in a better and more emotional way.
3. Easy to access: Do I have to explain this point? We need electricity, battery, internet, connectivity to towers to see our email & SMSs but a piece of paper is readily available any time you want to read it again and again. And that reminds the concern and the emotion of the sender again and again. I remember my previous generation used to pile up letters in their drawers like crazy.
4. Length of a letter: again the length part. Emails are usually written half-hazardly just to inform or communicate. But a letter written on a paper is written carefully and bigger length wise as you post it once or twice in a month period. I remember I sent a 10 pages letter to one of my sisters and she has kept that till today. I dont know how many emails and SMSs she must have deleted in her life time.
Those days are gone. We dont have time to sit and write a letter and post it. We come online hurriedly give feedbacks, check our mails, write few lines and send them. Our postal addresses are existing only to receive bills not personal letters anymore. We are supposed to eradicate, erase, eliminate, get rid of bad things not the good ones right? But the truth is Paper Letters are eliminated from our lives. Trust me we lost that personal emotional connection with the elimination of letter writing.
Can we restore it by start writing letters on paper?
Letter writing is an art...history books are full of beautifully crafted letters by famous people. I'm afraid you are right, Chiradeep...it's a thing of the past. Shame, ey?Very right Judy! Thanks for commenting...
Very good and informative article.Keep writting.SwapnaThanks & God bless you...
Rating my husband is quite a different experience. Great article...Thanks a lot dear...hahaha, I don't know why this made me laugh, but it did :-)Hi Teresa! It seems you're online now...Laughing is good for health. That's why we husband & wife are here...Yes! to make others laugh & smile as much as possible...lol...Oh yes...received your attachment just now...will go through and let you know...
Good points, TC. I used to write letters, now I email. I did recently hand write a letter to my newborn grandson. It was fun and emotional to write as I was continuing a tradition in my family. It was worth it, writer's cramp and all!Thanks for commenting Lorrie! Good that you have kept the tradition. I have to revive it myself.
Your 100% right. Also, with all the text talk and stuff, it's just not the same. I love sending letters to my friends and then getting the reply. I als like to keep my letters so I can view them later in life.Good Eleanor you have kept the tradition of letter writing alive. Thanks for commenting...
That's a good article Chiradeep. And, I believe you are right. There is something more personal about a handwritten letter.You are so right Joel...Thanks for that sweet comment...
Chiradeep,I must agree with you on this write. Very passionate, and thanks for sharing it with us.Thanks Ron...God bless you..And you as well
I have to disagree here. What matters is the words.You have to agree with me partially. Words do matter but accessibility & being personal are also important. Anyway thanks for commenting on my article...that matters the most...lol...
Good points- I admit to being an email letter and people actually do hear from me now that I only have to type and click send- no "where are the darn stamps?"I do however send cards, like you said, sometimes only the real thing will do.Hey Val...hows life? Thanks for the comment...what you said is right...
I am all for the personal touch and I am a huge fan of hand written letters, so embrace your valid points but surely regardless of the medium, its all about sincerity of motive. Thought provoking article.Friend 'Julian' your comment is very valuable and has good 'Price'...Thanks a lot... God bless you...
More comments