It is OK not to use email but....

Perhaps one of the most revolutionary byproducts of the digital age is that it has changed forever the way we communicate.  Spoken and written communication, whether between people in the same house or separated by oceans, has been made easy, inexpensive and available to most everyone. A recent study showed an increasing number of senior citizens are embracing these technologies.  This should not be a surprise since today’s seniors were yesterday’s workforce.  If you used these tools when working 9-5 why would you not continue to use them in your private life? 

Email, voice mail and all stripes of other new ways to communicate are not embraced by everyone regardless of age.  There is nothing wrong with choosing to stay off the internet.  Unfortunately some might feel pressured to do otherwise.  This can cause some real issues.  I know that in my circle of acquaintances there are some who have eschewed email and other digital services.  The problem does not come because of this decision, it comes because they do not communicate this decision to others.

At one time having an email address or Facebook presence was seen as a sign that you were “hip” and “with it.”  Those who did not use these services may have felt out of place when asked for their email address.  So the answer for some was to get an email account. 

When you give someone your email address it is the same as giving them your snail mail address.  Most of us would not think of going for weeks without looking in our US mail box. Some however go for longer periods of time without looking in their email inbox.  So messages, invitations, questions and other messages go unanswered.  This can cause ill feelings, concern and just plain frustration.

The answer is very simple.  If you don’t plan to look at your incoming email on a regular basis don’t tell people that you have email.  Just tell them that you don’t use it and give them you phone number or regular mail address.

There is a similar issue with Voice Mail.  Most mobile and home services allow you to disable the Voice Mail.  If you don’t plan to check it regularly turn it off.  People can just call back or perhaps put a stamp on a letter and send the message in a more traditional manner.  Who knows, perhaps they will stop over for a visit.