Communication-slow down and listen/read!!

Baby we love to respond, but hate to listen don’t we? I asked a question and the many responses behind it resulted in mass confusion. The conversation was about to go south, so I tried to stop the conversation and just moved forward and shockingly addressed with “in the future” whew chile and proceeds to belittle me. Although I remained professional, there will be an “elephant in the room” feel when we are amongst each other. I just didn’t understand why the need for it.

Tone in a message can go so many ways and taking the time listen or read with understanding is so important. Now, I am not here to gain a side because I did what I preached and that was I went back and read the thread to see where the message had become unclear. Once I did, a response of how the message was interpreted was explained, but this person felt the last word was what they needed. In the past, I would have kept going, but the older I get I’m getting “seasoned” at knowing when to “let them” have it and be good with not being petty.

So if you need some take aways when communication is foggy here ya go:

Why “In the Future” Responses Are Considered Disrespectful

• Implied Dismissal: It can signal that the sender’s, or your, immediate concerns are not a priority.
• “Ghosting” Light: It functions as a slow, partial version of “ghosting,” leaving the recipient in limbo without immediate closure.
• Ignoring Boundaries: It may suggest a disregard for the effort, time, or urgency expressed by the other person.
• Passive-Aggressive Tone: Often, this phrase is a polite mask for “I don’t want to talk about this” or a way to avoid a direct, difficult conversation. 

Contextual Factors

• Workplace/Professional: If used to shut down necessary, time-sensitive collaboration, it is unprofessional, but if used to manage a hectic workload, it may be necessary (though it should be accompanied by a clearer timeline).
• Personal/Romantic: It is widely considered poor form in relationships, leaving the recipient feeling undervalued or ignored.
• Social Media/Digital: While some view “no response” as the new norm, others find the deliberate deferral of conversation to be frustrating, particularly when they see the other person active elsewhere. 

How to Handle Such Responses
If you receive this response, you have options to reclaim your time and self-respect:

• Directly Address It: Use “I” statements to explain the impact: “I feel dismissed when I don’t get a clear timeline for a response”.
• Set Firm Boundaries: Clearly communicate what you need in terms of communication, and if the behavior persists, take a step back for your own well-being.
• Let It Go: Sometimes, it is best not to feed the fire. Recognize that their inability to communicate effectively is a reflection of them, not you, and move on. 

But don’t get it misconstrued “the bless your soul” is still alive and well …….good day!!!!

As always “Never negate the Nu-N-U”