Yep, I've heard it all before

I am definitely not the telephoning type. Tonight in the French class I was asked to say why (in French!). The truth is, even though on the phone I am often missing all that ellaborate body talk to illustrate the subject at hand, and the control of the discussion is eluding me, phoning helps me become a better listener. There are things that are easier to say on the phone, than face to face. Even today at work, in a longer meeting, I noticed that few people sustain your look when you honestly look into their eyes when speaking. Well, think that you have something really personal to say, and you don't want (or simply cannot) say it in person. What's the best option? Telephoning, of course. On the phone I've said (and heard) lots of things that would probably have taken much more guts to say face to face. The im-persona of the other person makes you let your thoughts stream free, as if you were alone and the sole gesture of holding the phone up to your ear were only a reflex gesture you'd make every time you were speaking to yourself.

Nevertheless, this makes me no lesser an opponent of telephoning. There is nothing that can replace a face to face conversation, a decent answer to decent questions, the smile on the other's face when you say something pleasant, the touching of hands when agreement is reached.

I've given everything i have to give but it's not enough
And this might sound a little negative but i'm not that tough
(Cinerama, Your Time Starts Now)