Face time

Overview
Face time is interaction or contact between two or more people at the same time and physical location. Face time therefore occurs in "real life" or "meatspace" and contrasts primarily with interaction or contact which occurs over distance (eg. via telephone) and/or electronically (eg. via email, instant messaging, e-commerce, or computer simulations).

The term was originally a colloquialism but has entered the vernacular with the increasing number of people throughout the world who commonly and extensively rely on telecommunications and the internet for personal and business communication.

"Face time" was a primary theme in Douglas Coupland's novel Microserfs.

Characteristics of face time
Face time is important for its unique characteristics of eye contact and touch. Various simulations that serve as an alternative to face time do not have these features (yet). Quality time is the idea of surrounding oneself with others of value, while having low obligations and being oriented towards fun (see Anthropological theories of value). This sort of behaviour is possible in non-face time situations like chat rooms, but it is widely felt that fun in a chat room does not qualify as quality time. The reasons for this are complicated (see loneliness). One explanation is that touch between humans is a fundamental of emotion well-being. Another explanation is that direct eye contact is critical to guarantee honesty. (see lying)

Factors increasing face time

 * Software is being developed to encourage conversation at coffee shops in which laptops are obstacle to face time. (see toothing)
 * ''for examples see List of PAN dating software


 * singles bars, dance clubs
 * The rise of the Service economy
 * collectivist cultures like China
 * An increasing amount of intellectuals like Esther Dyson and Nicholas Negroponte studying the effects of technology in society.

Factors decreasing face time

 * Face time alternatives are more efficient (see Microsoft's business culture).
 * The importance of the mass media.
 * cybersex

Applications in culture

 * It applies to high-paced offices, like a newsroom.
 * Can be used to describe direct time on television.
 * Also has a variant of "Deface Time" - when a boss is around in real life to catch a worker being unproductive.
 * Can apply to lobbyists, who value face-time for more effective persuasion.
 * Can apply to student time with teachers or professors