Recently, I found myself in a new office environment characterized by the usual elements: cubicles, coat racks, and dusty Post-Its littering unused desks, with a solitary paper clip and a tubular salt packet tucked away in a drawer. On my first day, as a newcomer, I sensed an undeniable awkwardness in the air, though I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
I observed my colleagues, subtly glancing at their 5th reunion photos pinned to fabric-covered cubbies, and noted their BPA-free or stainless steel water bottles, engraved with “Jordan and Mia: June 14, 2014!”
The realization struck me on the second day as I opened a clear plastic salad container, the sound cutting through the silence like a knife: there was no noise. No chatter, no ringing phones, no friendly greetings like “Hi, this is Kelly,” no light-hearted conversations over headsets, and no clattering of receivers being set down.
It dawned on me that no one speaks out loud anymore. Communication has shifted entirely to emails, file-sharing platforms, and cloud services. Back in the day, when these assistant editors were just starting their careers, we relied on phones. We had real conversations. We memorized numbers, left voicemails, and spoke directly to one another, even shutting our doors for private discussions about work or personal anecdotes.
While modern methods may enhance efficiency, they also create a sense of flatness. The absence of phone conversations contributes to a formality that feels stifling. Long gone are the days of sharing weekend escapades over the cubicle wall or listening to your co-worker flirt with someone from another office. The familiarity of hearing a colleague’s voice, rich with personality and humor, has been replaced by sterile communication.
Perhaps this is a sign of aging on my part. The younger generation simply doesn’t know what they are missing—those spontaneous moments of laughter, the shared snacks, and the camaraderie that comes from getting to know one another. And that’s perfectly fine. Change is a natural part of life. I don’t mind being the one reminiscing about the past while clinging to my stack of outdated encyclopedias. I’ll just have lunch elsewhere while catching up on emails on my phone.
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In summary, the evolution of workplace communication reflects broader changes in society. While it may seem more efficient, it often lacks the warmth and connection that comes from personal interactions.