InvisibleBlack
Posts: 865
Joined: 7/24/2009 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: daintydimples This has been prompted by several recent threads, all rants about "I can't find a sub, dominant, pet rock (whatever)." One thing all these rants have in common is a distinct lack of written communication skills from the OP. So now to my question: How important are written communication skills to you? Does a lack in this area imply a lack in verbal communication, or do you feel they are not related? If someone is not a very good written communicator, do you move on to the phone ASAP, or is that a deal breaker right out of the gate? Any additional thoughts on this subject most welcome. I suppose if I were to break down the importance of an e-mail for me it would come down to content, effort, and then technical skill. I can forgive someone poor writing or typing skills if they send me a heartfelt message with meaning to it. I understand that not everyone has had the benefits of an intensive formal education and years of experience communicating in a written medium. Someone can still tell you about themselves, their hopes, dreams and aspirations and what they see in you that makes them think you can help fulfil them - even if they can only use two syllable words and can't make complex compound sentences. A brilliantly written essay that left me with no better knowledge of a person than I started with wouldn't make me interested in pursuing the person. I'm not looking for a copyist or a speechwriter. Effort makes a huge difference. By effort I don't mean communicating sporadically, I mean not taking the time to actually write something of substance or respond completely. There's nothing like sending someone a lengthy message discussing their profile, their interests, how you think they match with yours, and asking them some questions about who they are and what they're looking for and getting back a one-line reply. It's almost insulting. Just as people rant in their profiles and journals about "Can't you READ my PROFILE!?" I sometimes want to rant back to a terse response "Didn't you READ my MESSAGE!?". Then again, for all I know, maybe they didn't. Maybe they're secretly sitting in some other country hoping I'll give them my bank routing number and probing questions are a huge turn off. Choosing not to respond I can understand. If someone doesn't find me interesting or attractive - so be it. Responding with almost a throwaway line bothers me a great deal. Technical writing skills are a plus but not a deal breaker. If someone writes well, can express themselves well, and displays a flair for written correspondence it tells you something about their background and mindset. Odds are they read a lot, have had a fair amount of education and/or have been online a lot. That they've taken the time to ensure that they can present themselves well and communicate well in this medium. For me those are all plusses - but they're not the areas I feel are core to a successful relationship. Spelling, grammar and writing can be taught - and I will (and did) correct improper communication in more than one sub over the years. Having something to say cannot be learned - it's either there or it's not. So basically, lack of content or effort are deal breakers - writing skills are a plus but not a necessity.
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Consider the daffodil. And while you're doing that, I'll be over here, looking through your stuff.
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