There were three word barriers during the instant text messaging conversation between Karen and Brian, of which were, lack of clarity, emotional response, and bypassing. The lack of clarity with in the text messages resulted in both Karen and Brian from listening to on another. Karen sent a text to Brian sounding very upset, because she has been waiting for Brian at the restaurant for a while. When she texted him asking him where he was as well as complaining how he is always late, he responded non-shaunatley. Brian’s response was very dismissive, in his response back he stated, “ Hey What’s Up? I’m here BTW I’m running late, I’ll be there soon, just order me a sandwich, I got held up at the office,” here he only added fuel to the fire by acting like it was not a big deal that he was late. However, what he should have done was text her promptly letting her know that he is sorry, and will be running late due to an unexpected occurrence at work. If he reached out to Karen first, she would have been more understanding and less hostile towards him in the first text message out to him. He mad her feel as if work was more important and she came second to his job.
In Karen’s response back to Brian the word barrier changed to becoming emotional. Karen did not think before texting back she just reacting by stating back to Brian, “ Hello?!!! I already ordered your sandwich like ten hours ago and you’re making me look stupid sitting here by myself. Why can’t you ever be on time, you are so rude and disrespectful!!!” this message came off as if she were yelling at Brian. What Karen should have done was first cooled off and relaxed her emotions before responding. If she did so she could and should have responded with, “ I’m sorry you are tied up, I wish you were here instead of stuck at work. Do you know approximately what time you may be done with work?” If she responded with this, he wouldn’t have gotten defensive and responded with his response which was, “Hey I can’t go,...
