Communication options?

[ALDABRAMAN]

Many do not me on a personal level, one thing we always offer is unconditional lifelong support and direction with this species. I get many e-mails from folks that purchase baby aldabra imports and want information, help, advice, direction, etc. I usually return the e-mail with my phone number and tell them to feel free to call me directly. Many never call and some simply pose the next e-mail a different way, basically seems that many simply avoid direct conversation and avoid one on one verbal interactions by phone. Honestly, as some of you know, i am very forthcoming with much of our experiences and information and simply find that a direct phone call is much better and has way more value than an e-mail. My question is why do you think folks prefer general e-mails as a way to communicate instead of calling and talking on the phone?

 

[wellington]

One thought I have is that they either feel intimidated, cause they don't know much about their tort or tortoises in general, or because they didn't buy it from you, they feel guilty about asking you. All is easier in writing then in person or voice to voice.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

or because they didn't buy it from you, they feel guilty about asking you.

~ That may be one reason, some of the ones that have called do relate that after purchase the source they purchased from has no actual knowledge with actually raising babies because they simply purchase (import) and ship them back out to the buyer the next day!

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

cause they don't know much about their tort or tortoises in general

~ That is also a good possible reason, truly hope not!

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

All is easier in writing then in person or voice to voice.

~ True, however sometimes answering some of the questions can be very time consuming and difficult to explain properly in writing!

 

[wellington]

~ True, however sometimes answering some of the questions can be very time consuming and difficult to explain properly in writing!

I totally agree. I wonder, if you were to communicate through email a couple times, let them get to know you, feel you out, if they would feel more comfortable talking to you then.
Another reason might also be that if they call you, they are taking up a lot,of your time and theirs. Where an email, they can type and go about their busy day and you can answer at your leisure. I know that's why I like texting people instead,if calling sometimes. I want to say something or tell someone something, but I don't have the time to waist sitting on a phone conversation that might go on and on. A couple seconds on a text and I'm on my way.
Heck, it's unfortunatley, the way the world is going. Pretty soon, no one will speak to each other

 

[tortadise]

Many do not me on a personal level, one thing we always offer is unconditional lifelong support and direction with this species. I get many e-mails from folks that purchase baby aldabra imports and want information, help, advice, direction, etc. I usually return the e-mail with my phone number and tell them to feel free to call me directly. Many never call and some simply pose the next e-mail a different way, basically seems that many simply avoid direct conversation and avoid one on one verbal interactions by phone. Honestly, as some of you know, i am very forthcoming with much of our experiences and information and simply find that a direct phone call is much better and has way more value than an e-mail. My question is why do you think folks prefer general e-mails as a way to communicate instead of calling and talking on the phone?

Say wha? I love calling and talking with you, it's been too long though brotha! But to answer your question in my opinion. I think we have become less personal and directive in communication now days. Look at the social media, even the media in general, or the educational system. I have many children from Girl/Boy Scouts to high even college level students volunteer. One thing in common with all the variety of ages is they're very "reclusive" in a communicative manor. They complete tasks given, but fail to answer questions or small talk in a detailed compassionate responsive disposition. It's simple "yes" or "no" or even just a physical smirk, smile or laugh(pending the nature of conversation brought up by me.

When I was in south Texas visiting the property for the tortoise zoo to move. I went to dinner with the family and they had a 18 year old and a 14 year old. The entire time we were at dinner they were on the phone, and or just observing my explosive comical and tortoise nerd behavior. Like they have never heard or seen anyone talking or carrying on a conversation with physical movements and jokes and laughs and outright robust behavior. None was bad at all trust me of course.

But yeah anyways. It's kinda sad really. We (collective general modern society) have lost our ability to vocalize, compassionately express ourselves(in our OWN way not an emoji, photo with a text caption, or video or gif of some clip from a a a TV show or whatever is happening now days [kardashians]) blah blah on my part.

Wish people talked more often and kept adding to the wrinkles in the brain.

 

[leigti]

I see this happen all the time. Even at college level students do not communicate with each other. One Friends told me that even walking across campus people did not make eye contact or say a word. If she does look somebody in the eye they suddenly looked down at their phone. They are unable to communicate face-to-face. It is tragic, sometimes when I see teenagers I have to tell them numerous times to put their phone away during the therapy session. That's insane in my opinion. Parents need to curb some of this behavior, those parents should've not let their kids be on the phone during dinner. It's rude and inconsiderate. But it's not just kids. Go to any public place and just sit and watch people. 75% of them will be on a phone, tablet, or a laptop. The rest have earbuds in there listening to whatever. It is sad and is actually becoming a problem in the workforce. People can't get away from their phone long enough to actually do their job.
You're lucky they even email. I know people that refuse to even look at their email anymore. If they don't receive a text then they don't acknowledge it. Voicemail and email don't count anymore for some people. Very very sad.

 

[tortadise]

I see this happen all the time. Even at college level students do not communicate with each other. One Friends told me that even walking across campus people did not make eye contact or say a word. If she does look somebody in the eye they suddenly looked down at their phone. They are unable to communicate face-to-face. It is tragic, sometimes when I see teenagers I have to tell them numerous times to put their phone away during the therapy session. That's insane in my opinion. Parents need to curb some of this behavior, those parents should've not let their kids be on the phone during dinner. It's rude and inconsiderate. But it's not just kids. Go to any public place and just sit and watch people. 75% of them will be on a phone, tablet, or a laptop. The rest have earbuds in there listening to whatever. It is sad and is actually becoming a problem in the workforce. People can't get away from their phone long enough to actually do their job.
You're lucky they even email. I know people that refuse to even look at their email anymore. If they don't receive a text then they don't acknowledge it. Voicemail and email don't count anymore for some people. Very very sad.

Yep my mom is a college professor at A&M. She says same thing, they just get more slack and don't even try anymore much. Per her. But I do t doubt it.

One thing I will kinda disagree and also agree with at the same time. Is the parenting aspect. Parents can give, teach, and model as grand as possible. But letting children off to learn and live the world in there own way is part of being human and a good parent. So even though most times it rules back to parenting and at home life is only a portion of what the child or person is exposed to. Society needs to established values, principles, ethics, and not ban technology from upbringing. But utilize it as a tool to display the same things we were taught just in an electric screen manor instead of a paper book. It's very difficult though. We can all agree and say well Facebook ruined this society, googled changed the world, Apple turned us into zombies. That's correct in a way. But it's still our minds that we are in control of. Our destiny that we can strive to achieve. Maybe utilize the fruits of ease in our society in parenting as a treat.

I'm blabbing again and getting entirely off topic. Bad moderator, bad.

 

[tortadise]

~ True, however sometimes answering some of the questions can be very time consuming and difficult to explain properly in writing!

Maybe just a simple response. And perhaps a template could be utilized for you Greg in an email response. Kinda like a short bio of you, your girlfriend, your history, your passion of Aldabras, and how peculiar this species really is misunderstood and can be taken care incorrectly too easily etc.. And nicely say the best way is to call and discuss this personally with the master. A nice template/blanket response.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

I love calling and talking with you

~ I truly love talking to you and Tom also!

Maybe just a simple response. And perhaps a template could be utilized for you Greg in an email response. Kinda like a short bio of you, your girlfriend, your history, your passion of Aldabras, and how peculiar this species really is misunderstood and can be taken care incorrectly too easily etc.. And nicely say the best way is to call and discuss this personally with the master. A nice template/blanket response.

~ Good idea!

 

[Gillian M]

Could there be a financial explanation? Phone-calls can be costly, particularly when we mean international calls.

 

[leigti]

Do you have your own website you can also refer people to. Something with basic information. Once they've read the basics maybe they would feel more comfortable talking with you about specifics.

 

[leigti]

Could there be a financial explanation? Phone-calls can be costly, particularly when we mean international calls.

I think most people get free long distance with their phone plans. But definitely international calls could add up I would think.

 

[MichaelaW]

Say wha? I love calling and talking with you, it's been too long though brotha! But to answer your question in my opinion. I think we have become less personal and directive in communication now days. Look at the social media, even the media in general, or the educational system. I have many children from Girl/Boy Scouts to high even college level students volunteer. One thing in common with all the variety of ages is they're very "reclusive" in a communicative manor. They complete tasks given, but fail to answer questions or small talk in a detailed compassionate responsive disposition. It's simple "yes" or "no" or even just a physical smirk, smile or laugh(pending the nature of conversation brought up by me.

When I was in south Texas visiting the property for the tortoise zoo to move. I went to dinner with the family and they had a 18 year old and a 14 year old. The entire time we were at dinner they were on the phone, and or just observing my explosive comical and tortoise nerd behavior. Like they have never heard or seen anyone talking or carrying on a conversation with physical movements and jokes and laughs and outright robust behavior. None was bad at all trust me of course.

But yeah anyways. It's kinda sad really. We (collective general modern society) have lost our ability to vocalize, compassionately express ourselves(in our OWN way not an emoji, photo with a text caption, or video or gif of some clip from a a a TV show or whatever is happening now days [kardashians]) blah blah on my part.

Wish people talked more often and kept adding to the wrinkles in the brain.

I would much rather call someone than discuss something through email. I have had several great conversations with people about turtles and tortoises over the phone.

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Most people mentally stutter, they have a difficult time describing description-ally rich things with voice without much hand waving and emoting which is not well done on the phone. An e-mail allows for a moment to clarify their thought and reread what they have written, so they can feel confident it is what they intend to ask or tell. In short speaking about technical and semi technical things on the phone is not easy.

The down side is there is no "out loud thinking" without conversation, and people are often afraid to 'say the wrong thing' or appear 'stupid'. I okay to blunder verbally, I get value from it.

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

Is it possibly a language issue? If they're not very strong in spoken English, they may prefer emails so they can have time to choose their words carefully.

 

[MichaelaW]

Most people mentally stutter, they have a difficult time describing description-ally rich things with voice without much hand waving and emoting which is not well done on the phone. An e-mail allows for a moment to clarify their thought and reread what they have written, so they can feel confident it is what they intend to ask or tell. In short speaking about technical and semi technical things on the phone is not easy.

The down side is there is no "out loud thinking" without conversation, and people are often afraid to 'say the wrong thing' or appear 'stupid'. I okay to blunder verbally, I get value from it.

I agree. Sometimes I kind of stutter in phone calls, but I still enjoy phone conversations.

 

[Gillian M]

Most people mentally stutter, they have a difficult time describing description-ally rich things with voice without much hand waving and emoting which is not well done on the phone. An e-mail allows for a moment to clarify their thought and reread what they have written, so they can feel confident it is what they intend to ask or tell. In short speaking about technical and semi technical things on the phone is not easy.

The down side is there is no "out loud thinking" without conversation, and people are often afraid to 'say the wrong thing' or appear 'stupid'. I okay to blunder verbally, I get value from it.

Those who are not that self confident would stutter but this wouldn't apply everyone. I do understand that when writing/typing one can think, think again, write, re-write, correct phrases/sentences. But a phone-call is something different I think.

 

[Yvonne G]

Personally, I don't like to talk on the phone. I would much rather converse through email.