The Lost Art of Oral Communication —Thanksgiving Edition
There is a lost art in today’s communication landscape—oral communication. It would seem that with every generation of the new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy that comes out the art of oral communication dies a little more. Sure, these cell phones are capable of making voice calls but let’s face it—we’d prefer to text. According to an OpenMarket nationwide survey, 76% of millennials prefer to receive a text versus a phone call. Taking it a step further we see that 75% of respondents would rather lose the ability to talk rather than text.
Thanksgiving is often seen as a time for family gatherings. But at its heart, it’s a holiday where we gather, face-to-face with family and friends. It’s a time when the smartphones drop and face to face oral communication still reigns supreme. So, as we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s take a look at why sharpening your oral communication instead of texting or social media can still be a valuable in today’s communication landscape.
The Lost Art of Talking
At the heart of any great Thanksgiving memory is not the, it’s the people. The chance to reconnect with friends and family, face to face. Using our actual voice allows us to connect with people in a way that a text message or email simply can’t do. More and more Americans are recalling a better time, particularly a better Thanksgiving, before smartphones became a ubiquitous part of the dinner table.
According to a poll by Jonah Berger, a researcher and marketing professor at the Wharton School at the University Pennsylvania and Hershey's and Wakefield Research, over 80 percent of respondents said they think holiday gatherings were more meaningful before smartphones. There is a stark contrast between this feeling of a time before iPhones and the daily preferences of younger generations who prefer texting over calling for most things. Still, 50% of respondents said the most meaningful communication with family and friends comes at the dinner table. Texting might be easier but the art of talking face to face still hits in a way that cannot be replicated.
Politics as a Side Dish
Another side dish at the Thanksgiving table that we might not love is politics. After all, what better way to catch up with family than arguing over political ideologies? While oral communication has its perks, there is something to be said about the time texting allows us to regulate our emotions before responding to an uncomfortable conversation. But how much do we really argue at the Thanksgiving dinner table? After spending most the of the year glued to our smartphones, how do we respond when faced with awkward political banter, face to face? The answer may actually surprise you.
In a December 2, 2024 YouGov poll, 72% of all respondents say they did not talk about politics during their Thanksgiving holiday. But the answer did vary somewhat when broken down by region. In the Northeast, 15% of respondents said they did argue about politics compared to 12% nationwide. Meanwhile, folks aged 18-29 were more likely to argue about politics during the holiday with 23% saying yes compared to only 12% nationwide. The number of yes votes drops slowly the older they get. Only 18% of folks aged 30-44 said yes and only 5% of people aged 45-64 said they argued about politics at the dinner table.
So while the younger generation may say they prefer to text rather than call, once faced with oral communication, some may prefer to use this tool to sharpen up their debate skills.
The Bottom Line
In a world that is saturated by easy, quick, text exchanges, take time to be thankful for the one time a year that allows us to harness the power of oral communication. This Thanksgiving, take some time to connect with your family and friends without a smartphone, or at the very least, with a phone call.
How We Help Improve Oral Communication at Conferences and in the Office
Today’s communication landscape can encourage virtual disconnection rather than personal connection. We are so used to text and email that we rarely have occasion to use our actual voice. It can be intimidating when you know people have differing opinions. At Cate Urban Communications we not only provide presentation design, but we provide speech writing and talking point services. We work with clients to present their work to all types of audiences and set them up for success.
At the heart of every solution is connection. Cate Urban Communications brings message, experience, and craft together — transforming smart strategy into communication with lasting impact.
How We Make That Happen:
Message — sharp thinking, clear positioning
Experience — human-centered, inclusive, intuitive
Craft — digital-first, built for real-world impact
