Life sure has changed quite a bit.  That is especially true in the world of dating and relationships.  More and more people are caught up emotionally with people they have never seen in person or talked over the phone.  Take the strange case of Notre Dame football star, Manti Te’o.  Here is a guy who was on top the college football world and came in 2nd in the recent 2012 Heisman Trophy Award.  Manti was involved with a “fake” girlfriend that he may have believed to be real at first.  It was discovered later that he knew she was fake.

Many people fall victim to “fake” girlfriends or boyfriends online.  Whether it’s in the 140 world of Twitter or elsewhere.  This is known as “catfishing.”  So described after the 2010 movie, Catfish.  It is getting crazy that relationships have changed so much.  Face-to-face encounters are now the exception, rather than the norm.  I will never forget going into nightclubs in Hollywood, CA and watching people texting to the person sitting next to them.  What ever happened to talking and engaging physically.  Geez…

It is much like  the disappearance of the handwritten letter or even note.  The fully expressiveness of that is all but gone.  Relationships have become more robotic it seems.  We’ve become a nation of soundbites rather than complete emotional engagement.  Now, while soundbites are perfect for the media and to get one’s point across, it is another thing in the realm of personal relationships.  I guess I am still old-fashioned.  When I send a text message, unless it’s business, mine tend to be longer than most.  Still, to me, nothing beats talking over the phone.  Except, of course, in person.

I would suggest to both guys and gals, if you want to really make an impact on a personal relationship, call them over the phone.  And then, meet in person.  Engage both ways.  Hey, how about sending a hand-written note too!  That will certainly grab their attention.  You will discover such deepness in connecting the “old-fashioned way.”  And on a side note, you’ll get to see that person you met online.  So, be ready.  The reality may not match the fantasy.  Still, I choose reality.  It is way better!

Cheers,

Bob