Do we now live in a world where face-to-face contact is discouraged?

1. 67

   thebiologyofleahposted 12 years ago

   Do we now live in a world where face-to-face contact is discouraged?
   
   Take the bank for explain, even when it is open and tellers are available I always go to the ATM.  Now a lot of stores have self-checkout, like the supermarket and big hardware stores.  Are we moving further and further away from actual human contact?

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2. 59

   scentualhealingposted 12 years ago

   I feel that the big business industry will always seek ways to cut back on their business expenses and try to replace paying a human being to using a machine that requires no pay or lunchbreak.
   
   For industry it may be convienant, but for those of us stading inline waiting for the  machine to be unclogged it is not a convienance.
   
   Even looking up your fruit and vegetables is a pain and takes time, where a clerk is quicker and gets the right fruit or veggie.
   
   Aotomatic car washes and pop machines break down and take your money and no one is around to get it back from.

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3. 0

   wilbury4posted 12 years ago

   I don't think it's discouraged but it is becoming rare...

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4. 61

   Brightonbreezyposted 12 years ago

   This is an interesting question! I think the answer here is yes! It seems more often than not these days customer service staff are trained to direct customers to the company website for customers to find information for themselves rather than getting some 1-1 help and advice. Even on the buses now we have automated cards to swipe and don't need to speak to the driver.
   
   After sales care also seems to be mainly over the telephone for example with mobile phone companies - their high street shops are just there to make sales not to help customers with any problems they have with their phone or contract afterwards.
   
   I find this really frustrating - I quite like day to day interaction with other people and saying please, and thank you, you can't do this to an automated check out or atm.

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5. 0

   shazwellynposted 12 years ago

   Corporates, Government and particularly media like to drum up fearmongering.  This fear is about a lack of love and the more people fear, the more is reported, causing more fear.  These feelings segregate us and keeps us under control.  We are controlled and segregated because this is disempowering in a world where the powerful people want to keep their power. 
   
   It is only through people power that we as a collective can truely be free and within that collective, individuals are empowered to have choice and freedom.  If the collective got together, the people in power would be powerless.  They dont want that, so are happy to encourage a world where we dont have face to face contact by using fear.
   
   Remember FEAR IS A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION!
   
   Live life as stated in section 61 of the magna carta:
   Do no harm
   Cause no loss
   Cause no injury.
   
   If we all abided by these rules, then we would have peace and be happy.
   
   http://shazwellyn.hubpages.com/hub/lawful-rebellion

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6. 0

   Deb Welchposted 12 years ago

   Yes - I believe our daily interaction has become very impersonal.  I have followed along with ATM, Auto  Car Wash, and Self Check-out in Grocery & Hardware Srores.  What really gets to me is now we have to push a number on the phone pad for customer service and usually zero is the number you call for a person-to-person help.  That Toll Free Number on the WebSites or Plastic Cards is far from any human contact.  Usually now an appointment needs to be made or wait for some real help by a person and not a holgram - (they are coming to airports).

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7. 67

   xethonxqposted 12 years ago

   I don't know if it's discouraged so much as not necessarily needed. Not that I agree of course, I prefer face to face contact, but I think times are changing and we have to recognize that some things are just going to be more automated. Everything seems to be driven by cost effectiveness....but at the cost of human contact.

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8. 61

   brieliseposted 12 years ago

   Companies are trying to cut back on costs by cutting employees, thus forcing us to have very little face-to-face interactions throughout the day. I hate the self check out line - it always takes me forever, even when I only have a few things. I would much rather go to a checkout with a real person! But even when I do, these people are not customer service focused. I'm lucky to get a hello and a have a nice day. I worked at a bank and we really pushed accounts where you're charged to talk to a teller, and essentially forced to use the ATM. I do think we're moving away from human contact in the customer service sense. It's frustrating how difficult it is to find a real live person to communicate with!

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9. 66

   HealthyHannaposted 12 years ago

   I am taking an interpersonal communication class, and it talks about this subject.  I agree that it is probably not discouraged and much as it is just becoming a rariity.  We live in a world that is moving so fast, we need fast responses. We need to know if everything is alright and going as planned.  We need to know the plan.  We don't have time to connect personally.  We want facts, not details.
   
   I don't think face to face contact is discouraged, it is just not convenient.  This goes for the home front as well as the business world.

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