FACE TO FACE CONVERSATION – TOURISM

1. FACE TO FACE CONVERSATION

MEANING: Face to face communication is an important medium of oral communication. Everyday people exchange their ideas and opinions through Face to face communication whenever they get chance. When one person discusses his views, opinion to another person and exchanges their views in the presence of both then it is called face to face conversation. It also includes the face-to-face discussion on a particular issue. In this method, both the information receiver and send

DEFINITATION: Face-to-face interaction is defined as the mutual influence of individuals’ direct physical presence with his/her body language.^[2] Face-to-face interaction is one of the basic elements of the social system, forming a significant part of individual socialization and experience gaining throughout one’s lifetime.

 “when two or more persons talk to each other and see each other physically, it can be termed as face to face Communication. It is one kind of two-way oral communication as both the parties are involved here in conversation.” Business Communication

Study of face-to-face interaction is defined as the process of recording and analyzing the reactive pattern of individuals when they are involved in a face-to-face interaction.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FACE TO FACE COMMUNICATION

Face to face communication is an informal oral communication technique. It has some unique characteristics that are not found in other communication methods. The important characteristics of face- to- face conversation are discussed below-

• Straight Communication: The important feature of Face to face communication is that it is very much direct or straight. The parties involved in Face to face communication exchange message directly without using any media. No other communication technique is as direct as it is.
• Informal: Face to face communication is very informal. Under this method the sender and the receiver exchange message freely and openly. No formalities are maintained here.
• Mutual Relation: Face to face communication depends on the mutual relationship between the sender and receiver of the message. Nobody can interfere in such type of communication.
• No Cost Communication: Face to face communication is a no cost communication in nature as it does not require any instrumental arrangements.
• Widely Used: In most of the cases, communication takes place in the form of face to face conversation. Because of its inherent nature, it is widely used in every sphere of life.
• Word of Mouth Effect: Another important characteristic of Face to face communication is that it produces huge word of mouth effect. It helps to spread the negative and positive news about anything of the message.
• No Legal Base: Face to face communication or communication does not have any legal acceptability as it is not written. Face to face communication is almost like invisible communication.
• Spread of Rumor: Face to face communication often helps to spread rumor that may create negative image of the organization.
• Effect of Facial Expression: Another important characteristic of Face to face communication or communication is that here the facial expression of the sender and the receiver has immense effect of the entire communication or conversation process.
• Instant Feedback: An important nature of face to face communication is that it produces instant and quick feedback.

ADVANTAGES OF FACE-TO-FACE CONVERSATION:

1. Responses immediately: When people communicate each other in person, they can get a response immediately without misunderstanding. During the conversation, people can not only hear a response from others, also see how they are feeling; people can guest what will take place next, how the conversation is about, which is very important to have a successful talk.
2. Express of feelings: Using face-to-face communication helps people express their feelings, ideas much better. Instead of using words only when people choose letters, emails or phone for communication, people can use eye contact, verbal language in order to show their opinions. Scientists show that more than seventy percent people use body or verbal language in communicating; thus, it’s very important for people use actions to express views.
3. Suitable for respect: Face-to-face communication enjoys yet another distracts advantage, the message being communicated also gets the assistance of facial expressions and gestures.
4. Suitable for discussion: Face-to-face communication is particularly suitable for discussion, for there is immediate feedback from the listener. Face-to-face communication provides the speaker with a much better opportunity for adjustment. A twist of the lips, a frown on the forehead, a contraction of the facial muscles point out that the message is not welcomed, then changes of tone or sympathetically looking is to be needed. These adjustments are possible only in face-to-face communication.
5. Conversation to learn: We learn a great deal via conversation, including conversations with ourselves. We learn highly valuable life lessons.
6. Conversation to coordinate: Coordinating our action in ways that are mutually beneficial. Anytime we negotiate one favor for another, we use conversation to reach an agreement to transact.
7. Collaborate: Coordination of action assumes relatively clear goals, but many times social interaction involves the negotiation of goals. Conversation is a requisite for agreeing on goals, as well as for agreeing upon and coordinating our actions.

DISADVANTAGES OF FACE-TO-FACE CONVERSATION

The limitations of face-to-face communication are given below:

1. Difficult to practice in a large-sized organization: Face-to-face communication is extremely difficult to practice in large-sized organizations, particularly if their various units or departments are situated at different places.
2. Not effective in large gatherings: It is very difficult to get a message across to large gatherings. Even though the speaker is addressing them face-to-face, the vital personal touch is missing. In the absence of a satisfactory feedback, his speech lapse into a monologue.
3. Ineffective if the listener is not attentive: A limitation which the face-to-face communication shares with oral communication is that its effectiveness is closely linked with the listener’s attentiveness. Since human beings can listen to grasp the message faster than the speed at which they are delivered, they will easily get delivered thus making communication ineffective.