How to avoid discussions on WhatsApp? 5 tips

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. WhatsApp discussions are becoming more common, while it is always easier to say what we do not dare to verbalize in person. A correct use of the characters that the application offers us will save us a lot of trouble.

• You may be interested in: "Is WhatsApp affecting the quality of communication?"

Ways to avoid discussions on WhatsApp

Personal clashes are sometimes unavoidable under certain circumstances. However, avoiding arguing on WhatsApp is the first step to managing these conflicts well, since this means is totally inadequate to solve those situations. Next we will review several keys to achieve it.

1. Do not say on WhatsApp what you would not say in person

This is one of the great causes of discussions on WhatsApp. Behind a keyboard we all become extremely brave and shamelessly say what we think of the other on the other side of the screen. Even if it is a friend or, in some cases, relative.

For this simple reason, we must avoid crossing the red line by stopping to think, for a moment, if what we are going to say would be said in person. If the answer is no, that is a symptom 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, coupled with the invisibility of the chat, causes many misunderstandings and anger over the chat. Currently, 4 out of 10 WhatsApp users say they have argued with someone, and another 2 out of 10 say they have broken relationships with someone they know for this same phenomenon.

2. Avoid conflicting topics

Number one premise in any type of debate or talk through this type of media based on mobile phones or the Internet. Without we must be able to avoid all kinds of sensitive issues of misinterpretation or emotional management. Politics, religion, feelings or emotions. all these issues it is recommended that they be produced live, in person.

As we have pointed out before, for the vast majority of people it is more attractive to say things through these platforms. We get to say things that we never even thought we would be able to say verbally. The simplest way 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 in WhatsApp are given by not knowing how to manage our emotions linked to uncertainty. As WhatsApp is based on the transmission of the minimum possible information when the nonverbal language, in case something related to the other person worries us, the slightest stimulus will make us interpret a simple message as a personal attack, an insinuation, etc.

4. Use of smileys and audio messages

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 to reduce the tension of the moment.

It is also suggested that more frequent use be made of "voice notes" or voice recordings. 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 qualify 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 hurting your interlocutor, you can defend a contrary idea without hurting the feelings of others, simply using certain formulas to express it and using the option to send audios. Thus takes some of the coldness out 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'll tell you how you are

To finish with this list of recommendations to avoid discussions on WhatsApp, we must have special be careful what we write, and not try to use strange formulas to adopt another personality in the environment virtual. Our narrative defines the personality that we have or that is projected, so that if we want to be faithful to our image when speaking, we must apply the same criteria when write.

If our interlocutor is offended or angry by anything we have written, it is also a good thing. rectify, not without ceasing to defend that idea, but to prevent others from getting angry or feeling belittled. It should be remembered that what we write says a lot about us.