Closing a Conversation in Communication via LINE Application

Abstract

Closing a conversation is an important factor in communication since it sends a signal to the participants to end the conversation. The question is how we know when to end the conversation and how to go about ending a conversation when the other party is someone who is older or in a higher up position. Nowadays, there are several methods of communication. LINE Application has become a popular mode of communication among Thai users. However, most communication occurs via messages. It is interesting to see how the conversation is closed in LINE Application. Both formal and informal communication are considered as well as conversations between two participants and group participants. Data collection was done via 60 questionnaires. The results show that closing a conversation using stickers is used most frequently. Females prefer to close a conversation using stickers in most instances both formally and informally. Males prefer to close a conversation by not replying and replying with back channels. In addition, males close a conversation with back channels with a person who is in a higher up position. This situation is different from when a conversation having two participants with a professor is closed. In such instances, closing a conversation with a thank you is preferred by both males and females.