Maybe it's the Aussie way to have personal contact with the "friend" ... maybe got something to do with our convict background
Many people have trouble conveying their emotions/ feelings in the written word. Also I prefer to judge the reaction of the "friend" in person. You can tell straight away if the "friend" is indeed remorseful or just pulling ya leg. Too easy to say sorry in an email.
We often see on this forum how the written word can be mis-interpreted by someone else all because the author wasn't all that eloquent.
Eyeballing the friend is better still. After it's all over you either sit down and suck some beers or ya into the first aid kit patching yaself up.
You all take care