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Broadcast Eid greetings go with less value, residents say

Dubai - Do greetings and short videos sent via mobile phones take away the real meaning of re-connecting with family and old friends on Eid? A few residents give their take

While people often express concerns about the rising trend of texting Eid greetings over making phone calls, a new fear of broadcast messages arise to make the occasion lose its real spirit.
The increase of mass messages over social media and messaging apps made people reminisce about receiving personalised texts, let alone receiving phone calls or greeting cards.
As soon as Eid was declared to begin on Sunday, tens of broadcasted greeting messages filled people's phones with images and short videos that took away the real meaning of re-connecting with family and old friends.

Marwa Jarkas
Marwa Jarkas, a Syrian national, said as soon as Eid was declared, at least 20 broadcast images and messages filled her WhatsApp and Facebook, sometimes with the same image from different senders. "Mass messages are just like emails, you don't feel the value of it, especially during Eid, because you know you're among the hundreds receiving them. It defies the purpose of the occasion, which is to reconnect with people you have lost touch with, be it extended family or friends," said Jarkas. She added that receiving mass greetings add "no value" to the occasion.

Hanin Hazeem
Dubai-based Hanin Hazeem of Palestinian origin said that while broadcasts are a good way of demonstrating the spirit of celebrations, they have become redundant. Her friends who live abroad exchange personalised greeting videos over WhatsApp through which they reminisce special memories.
"I feel more special if someone called or texted me because in that case, the person meant to wish me personally. I wasn't just among hundreds who received their message,' said Hazeem.

Nourhan Maher
Egyptian Nourhan Maher said receiving mass messages even from old friends doesn't start a conversation or contribute in reconnecting. "If it's someone I haven't spoken to for a long time, I would rather see their name with a personalised message because that's when a conversation will start. Most of the broadcasted messages go unanswered, and even when you respond, they don't answer back."
Echoing similar thoughts was Egyptian Mohammed Nader who noted that mass messages serve as an obligation rather than an honest desire to contact people due to the absence of time and effort invested in sending them. He said while it is good to share the excitement of Eid with people, it serves better to seize the opportunity of the occasion to connect.

Sarah Abdelbary
Sarah Abdelbary from Syria said spending time to call or text people during Eid is what makes the occasion count rather than receiving a tag on Facebook or an image on WhatsApp. "It is nice to receive a big number of messages but what is the use if they aren't directed towards you and if most of the time they go without response?" said Abdelbary.
Helps in connecting

Feras Al Astal
Palestinian Feras Al Astal said he prefers sending greetings over messaging apps or social media since it is "faster and easier." He added that comparing today's lifestyle with the past is a fallacy. "Back in the days, people didn't have mass media, which limited their social circles. Therefore, it made it easier to make calls and pass cards but now we are connected to everyone through different groups and channels. There is no time to personalise to each and every one of them," said Al Astal.

Rawan Al Hussain
Palestinian Rawan Al Hussain said sending broadcasts on WhatsApp helps in starting conversations with old friends, rather than posting a general Eid greeting on Facebook. With messaging apps, there's the element of choice.
"You get to select whom to send it to, and they will probably message you back, so it is more intimate."
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com