#116 - Don't Like Limited Communication

​Communicating While Wearing Masks

I'm all for wearing masks! I'm glad Texas is requiring them. But it's harder to communicate. I find myself talking louder and using my hands more. I try harder to smile, but I'm not always sure my eyes are cooperating. It's exhausting.

It's really hard if you're trying to talk to someone with a mask AND sunglasses. Why would anyone want to talk to someone who looks as unfriendly as this guy?

Phone Communication

I talk with my dad on the phone daily. He talks on his landline. Since he doesn't have a smartphone, we talk and listen, without seeing each other. I'm used to communicating without seeing his face.

But it made me sad when we talked yesterday. He had just returned from his first real outing in 4 months. His check up went well, but he was frustrated when he saw his doctor in a mask. Dad was wearing his mask and he certainly knows the importance. But he said he couldn't recognize him and it was hard to hear his voice.

I told him I understood. We compared our recent outings, with masks.​

I told Dad that I had gone to the polls to vote. I described my encounter with a poll volunteer, who had tried to lighten the event with her humor. "I couldn't hear her well, so I asked her to repeat. I couldn't read her face, to tell if she was being funny. It was just plain awkward! I just wanted to vote and get out of there." 

I told Dad that he's had more practice talking to people in masks, than me. For 4 months, his meals have been delivered to his room at his assisted living facility, by masked staff.  

Dad told me he doesn't really talk to the staff much. He just says thanks. I told him that was crazy. He needs to enjoy these little moments each day, with others. After I questioned him more, it became more clear.  He's just not comfortable conversing with someone, when he can't see the face or hear the voice. I get it.

So that makes me sad. But I'm glad to to remind myself that my dad has pretty darn good hearing at age 91.  And thank goodness, he like the phone!
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