This was the scene at Barcelona Airport this week. The airport cleaners decided to strike and their choice of communication was in their actions. They created bags and bags of torn newspapers to scatter all over the floor area of the terminals and they constantly sounded off those boom speakers whilst some just kept drumming and chanting. On first entry into the airport, a part of me (pre socialist) was Viva! Good for you to express yourselves to be heard! It was an interesting scene to take in at first as the airport security and police were positioned in the background observing proceedings; passengers walked straight into the commotion and were uncertain of what was occurring. Occasionally a group of the strikers would conduct a walk around the terminal (just to make sure everyone did not forget they were there and I am sure also to spread the noise and the waste). After 30 mins or so this protest really started to grind, 1) for the constant noise level, it was easy to become intolerant and impatient because of the constant and aggressive high pitch tones. 2) the debilitating effect for the disabled in wheelchairs, the young in prams and for those with large cases or trolley having difficulty dragging wheeled mechanisms through piles of paper and 3) the serious damage to the business equipment, the escalators ceased up, the lifts were being blocked at the entrances, mechanisms all over the place were grounding to a halt. 4) the dust content in the air would make any asthmatic struggle with their airways, anyone with dust based allergies would have a problem. Last but by no means least 4) the other staff who was not on strike but having to work through this constant noise barrier, dust and very difficult working conditions. It begs the question of what can be most effective as a form of communication 1) Actions 2) Words? Some may say both is the way as physical expression can breakdown any barriers that verbal expression may create. Verbal delivery when tempers are high or people are in total disagreement can create intolerable situations and stalemate whereas the action of physical expression can be a more open and less threatening approach and the human mind has a great ability of dissemination of images, sounds and movement so this can be a distinct advantage. So, looking back at the bedlam and chaos creating by the Catalan expression, the hostility generated, and no doubt divide within their colleagues and certainly for the customers and sponsors in the environment; I can only but challenge on whether such actions can ever be greater than words and negotiation? In fact, one could argue that the blatant disregard for health & safety, personal and commercial property and breach of basic but fundamental contract terms and conditions could justify such action being disbanded and prevented.
Where am I going with this, well it all comes down to our (people) will to communicate but in doing so to consider and judge the most effective forms of communication which often comes with the power to persuade, influence, encourage, reassure, and compromise for the greater good. We are living in a world these days where communication is so instant and so disposable. Messages only have validity of seconds and then we move on. To be heard is becoming something than can be processed and delivered. In fact, do we really need to raise out of our beds to conduct a day of work anymore due to the advancements of technology? My fear is our gradual loss of the ability and the power of communication, social skills in observing and interpreting body language, speech tones, mis-interpretation of information? Maybe also a case of 'choose battles wisely?' Viva or tsch! remains a matter of opinion.......
Where am I going with this, well it all comes down to our (people) will to communicate but in doing so to consider and judge the most effective forms of communication which often comes with the power to persuade, influence, encourage, reassure, and compromise for the greater good. We are living in a world these days where communication is so instant and so disposable. Messages only have validity of seconds and then we move on. To be heard is becoming something than can be processed and delivered. In fact, do we really need to raise out of our beds to conduct a day of work anymore due to the advancements of technology? My fear is our gradual loss of the ability and the power of communication, social skills in observing and interpreting body language, speech tones, mis-interpretation of information? Maybe also a case of 'choose battles wisely?' Viva or tsch! remains a matter of opinion.......
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