I agree that an obsession with social media pervades society today. But it isn’t always a bad thing. For example, if you are in waiting mode in a place where there are many other people. The silence needn’t be uncomfortable. Just whip out your smartphone and you have a choice of options. You aren’t forced to read an outdated publication which isn’t really your cup of tea or try and avoid eye contact. You have entertainment on hand. Play a game or send messages on WhatsApp or, even better still, read all the email and messages and videos you haven’t had time to peruse.
In fact, before you know it, the waiting is over and you are roused from your absorption by your name or token number being called. You might even feel slight irritation at being disturbed in the middle of playing a game or watching interesting footage and might not mind if someone else jumps the queue.
Compare this to times of yore. Waiting in line meant keeping an eye out for those looking to get ahead of you. You memorised the faces of the people in front of you and those behind. And, if you suddenly saw an unfamiliar face ahead of you in the line, your antennae went up and warned you it was time to act.
Of course, I speak from my experience back home. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I stood in queue recently to get my Indian ID card processed. There was a couple who tried to sneak into the front of the line. It was as if they were wearing blinkers. All they could see was the official ahead who was conducting the iris and fingerprint scans.
Before I could react, one of those waiting in line went up to them and informed them where they should be standing. The woman feigned surprise and looked at the queue snaking along the length of the room as if she were seeing it for the first time. The grim look on the faces of people who had come before them made her and her husband quickly fall into line.
The use of Facebook and WhatsApp and other social networking sites helps you to save money and also jog your memory. The birthday reminders are welcome as these are dates that are hard to keep track of. No feelings of guilt over forgetting someone’s important day.
The cost factor is important. Have you been to a shop selling cards lately? If you have, you will have been amazed by the variety available for every conceivable occasion.
Birthdays now easy on the pocket
As you start picking some up, you look for the price tag and are taken aback by the numbers quoted. In some shops, there are no visible tags so you are tempted to keep picking up all the ones that catch your eye. When you go to the counter and the bar code is scanned, your heart skips a beat when you are told the total. You limit your selection to the bare minimum and then realise that the process isn’t over yet. Now you have to go the post office and send them on their way. So much effort, time and money to let someone know you’re thinking of them.
The luxury of being able to wish friends and family online with no hard feelings over the medium is something we all enjoy now.
Being able to access friends and family online means you cut down on telephone bills. Sometimes making a call can be unrewarding. Either you have picked the wrong time or the person you are speaking to has no special plans for the day. So, the conversation peters out after a while and you hang up, feeling a little cheated. On the other hand, there are no awkward pauses online.
I believe social media is the great equaliser, giving everyone a chance to be heard. Whether or not you listen is your choice.
