WhatsApp has become the most popular means of communication worldwide. So much so, that the all-powerful Mark Zuckerberg acquired the instant messaging company a couple of years ago. The WhatsApp application has become essential in modern life, it instantly connects us with family, friends, work groups and other groups in an extremely accessible way.
Added to this phenomenon is the key factor: its use to try to manage delicate personal situations and conflicts in general. Discussions on WhatsApp are increasingly common, while it is always easier to say what we do not dare to verbalize in person. Correct use of the characters that the application offers us will save us a lot of trouble.
Personal clashes are, sometimes, inevitable given certain circumstances. However, Avoiding arguing on WhatsApp is the first step to managing these conflicts well, since this means is totally inadequate to resolve these situations. Below we will review several keys to achieve this.
1. Don’t say on WhatsApp what you wouldn’t say in person
This is one of the main causes of discussions on WhatsApp. Behind a keyboard we all become extremely brave and say without any shame what we think about the other person on the other side of the screen. Even if it is a friend or, in some cases, family member.
For this simple reason we must avoid crossing the red line by stopping to think, for a moment, if we would say what we are going to say in person. If the answer is no, that is a sign that technology is being used to adopt an avoidant attitude that not only does not solve anything: can aggravate interpersonal problems
The ease of access to the debate, together with the invisibility of the chat, causes many misunderstandings and anger over chat. Currently, 4 out of 10 WhatsApp users claim to have argued with someone, and another 2 out of 10 claim to have broken off relations with someone they know due to this same phenomenon.
2. Avoid conflictive topics
Number one premise in any type of debate or talk through this type of media based on mobile phones or the Internet. Without this, we must be able to avoid all types of sensitive topics of misinterpretation or emotional management. Politics, religion, feelings or emotions. All these questions It is recommended that they occur live, in person
As we have pointed out before, for the vast majority of people it is more attractive to say certain things through these platforms. We get to say things that we would never have thought we would be able to say verbally. The simplest indication to avoid these problems is to reflect before writing, before saying what we may later regret.
3. Know how to choose the moment
When it comes to dialogue, contexts are important. Many of the discussions that are created on WhatsApp are due to not knowing how to manage our emotions linked to uncertainty As WhatsApp is based on the transmission of the minimum possible information by eliminating non-verbal language, in case something related to the other person worries us, the minimum stimulus will make us interpret a simple message as a personal attack, an insinuation, etc
The simple gesture of putting on a smile, an exclamation point, or a friendly expression can radically change the course of the discussion. A “smiley” or a “hug” accompanying certain statements helps reduce the tension of the moment.
It is also suggested that more frequent use be made of “voice notes” or voice audios. It is another useful method to avoid misinterpretations and erroneous insinuations are corrected. The tone of voice is a differentiating element when it comes to expressing ourselves, apart from the fact that it is much more comfortable and instantaneous, especially when we want to clarify our words.
Thus, the use of elements that go beyond the text is a fundamental element to fully exploit the possibilities of WhatsApp, thereby improving the quality of communication. You can be assertive without harming your interlocutor, you can defend a contrary idea without needing to hurt the feelings of others, simply using certain formulas to express it and using the option to send audios. Thus It eliminates some of the coldness of exchanging text messages and you get a much more relaxed and friendly way of expressing yourself.
5. Tell me how you write and I will tell you what you are like
To finish with this list of recommendations to avoid discussions on WhatsApp, we must be especially careful with what we write, and not try to use strange formulas to adopt another personality in the virtual environment. Our narrative defines the personality that we have or that is projected, so if we want to be faithful to our image when speaking, we must apply the same criteria when writing.
If our interlocutor is offended or angry about anything we have written, it is also good to rectify it, not without ceasing to defend that idea, but to prevent others from getting angry or feeling belittled. It is worth remembering that what we write says a lot about us.
