Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Chapter 11: Phatic Communication
I never realized that this type of communication existed (I did not realize that it actually had a name to it). As the authors explain, "phatic communication is a form of small talk that helps us appear social and gives the impression that we are interested in others " (pg. 344). This is also known as "mindless exchange" (pg.344). This kind of exchange happens to me at the office where I work. The office is set-up as follows: my work area (cubicle) is in the middle, and the "more important" people, their offices surround my working area (it's shaped like a rectangle). I work around the quality improvement coordinator, the administrator, my boss, etc. With my boss, phatic communication does not occur, but with everyone else it does. We pass each other by and say "Hi, how are you?" "Good, thank you." It really never gets passed that stage, but hopefully I will get to know them a little bit more. For example, this is the kind of dialogue that I would have with the office secretary, but we have gotten to know each other a bit more. Now when we speak to each other, it goes passed the phatic communication.
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Hi Sandra- Before I changed my major to Communication Studies, I had also never new that phatic communication is another term for small talk. To me, I dislike engaging in phatic communication it so boring and sometimes very forced and fake but it something that we can’t avoid. I know I always have at least three small talk conversations in one day. I believe I am a very friendly person but sometimes can be a little anti social when I try to avoid people that I know I will have phatic communication with. I feel bad but I really dislike it.
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