PASIR PUTEH, April 4 (Bernama) -- Yesterday I received the first greeting
card in three years.
It was a simple paper card and the message well delivered. It was beautiful
...and cards like this are rare in the age of e-mails, SMS, and Internet.
Nowadays, interactive and digital cards or also known as e-cards sent
through Internet is the trend. But the paper cards like this have their own
beauty and followers.
Remember, how wonderful it was to receive a greeting card from someone very
special...kept the card in our collection for years.
In sending these cards, one have to take the trouble to look around for a
suitable card, buy it, write the words on it and then post it. In a nutshell,
only someone who is sincere and serious in sending you the wishes will send you
the card.
And it is even more meaningful when the card is handed over personally.
NOT FORGOTTEN
With the advent of the cyber age, interactive cards seem to be the trend in
relaying wishes and greetings.
These interactive cards can be downloaded or created using a myriad of
applications and can be sent to the recipient just with a click from anywhere.
The interactive feature is far compelling aesthetically with colorful graphics
and real life animation, and you can even add voice to read out the wishes.
And obviously this is why paper cards have gone on decline over the years.
However, it is interesting to note that many are still confident that paper
cards still have a place in their hearts.
A paper card entrepreneur, Yusni Yusoff, 26, was quite sure that the cards
would not go into oblivion though their use reduced significantly by the
interactive cards available in a myriad of designs and most of all cheaply.
INTERACTIVE CARDS EASIER
A student, Mohd Amar Ikhwan Mohd Ismail, 20, admitted that he now prefers
the interactive cards instead of the paper cards that he hardly received any
over the last one year.
"At present there are numerous e-card collections that can be easily sourced
from the Internet. No longer need to spend money to buy the paper cards, and the
interactive cards can be saved in the hard disc and used when needed. I''m
satisfied.
"Unlike interactive cards, the paper cards can only be used once and one has
to buy postage stamps as well, what a waste. The e-cards, does not matter
whether it is for wishes or others, you can use it many times over and you can
even send them through MMS," he said.
A private sector employee, Fakhira Nur Amsyar, 27, noted that she prefers to
use the e-cards sent through Internet or handphone (SMS and MMS).
"It is easier to use the e-card, I''m always busy and have no time to get to
the post office to post the card, normally I just use the Internet through my
phone to send wishes and greetings to anyone, especially my friends on their
birthdays or when a child is born," she said.
"I once sent a paper card to my boyfriend, but felt disappointed as he left
it on the table after reading it as he did not want to carry it around with
him," she said.
THE PHYSICAL CAR MORE SINCERE AND MEANINGFUL
However, in spite of the deluge of e-cards, there are some who still prefer
the paper cards believing that they are more meaningful and they involve more
personal touch.
"While others may prefer the e-cards, but for me the paper cards are more
meaningful and is more suitable for use. I can keep them for a long time....,"
said Wan Raymi Wan Rahim, 30.
Wan Raymi added that the paper cards also goes to show the sender''s
earnestness and sincerity in sending the wishes.
"Nowadays everyone want to send their wishes fast, but are they really
sincere, for example wishing someone happy birthday through facebook after
seeing others sending in their wishes, this does not mean much.
"But if there is paper card with hand written message... we could see the
sender''s earnestness, the trouble the person took to buy and post the card," she
said.
WEDDING CARDS YET TO MAKE INTO THE CYBER REALM
Though the use of e-cards can be best described as prevalent now days, it is
still not well accepted for wedding invitations.
Here, the printed paper card tradition still seems to prevail over its
interactive counterpart.
Sherina Abdullah, 38, who sells wedding cards noted that the traditional
cards still remain the number 1 choice for wedding invitations.
"As for me the use of e-cards for wedding invitation does not seem proper in
the context of social etiquette as people see more polite and cultured to invite
someone for a wedding by physically handing over the invitation cards.
"Thus the wedding cards are still relevant. But in future, I don''t know
whether electronic cards will be the order of the day," she said.
USE WHEN SUITABLE
Meanwhile, for an IT coordinator, Muhd Alimin Ali, with greater access to
interactive applications, the internet technology is the way to send wishes and
greetings through e-mail, website services including social websites.
One also has to remember that social websites like facebook, friendster and
tweeter are a way of life to the younger generation.
Moreover, there is no additional cost involved in sending the e-cards except
for the Internet access charge that is very minimum.
"At the same time, for those who are creative and IT savvy, they can create
their own wishing cards. Their creation can then be posted through e-mail
applications.
"This is seen as a more practical approach as most of the individuals now
have their own e-mail accounts and computers at their disposal. Furthermore,
with the availability of sophisticated applications like Photoshop, Print Shop,
Card Shop Plus that are user friendly compelling interactive wishing cards can
be created," he said.
However, said Alimin, the individual has the final say in deciding whether
to use the paper or e-cards based on its suitability. The interactive wishing
cards may seem sophisticated but the sender needs to take into account who is
the receiver and how much emotions it carries.
-- BERNAMA
NAA MRA CR PR CR
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