How would you feel about a "quiet day" socially

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I came across this idea attached to a church, but it dosn't have to be religious as far as I can see.

The particular day involved two talks (one morning, one afternoon), a lunch, and a walk in the afternoon...but, of course it could involve anything...the point is "quiet"...which does not mean a "vow of silence", or any restriction on conversation at all (bar good manners), but rather that, during the day, there is no obligation to converse, or interact. It would be perfectly acceptable to spend all day without saying a word to anyone if you wished.

It ocurred to me that such an event would work very well for some of us, and wondered how everybody else felt about it?

If there is a good reaction maybe one of the big IRL social groups might try a "pilot project", not necessarily a day...perhaps an afternoon? Even as part of the Euromeet-ups being organised (I am not social enough to want to attend, but I think they are a GREAT idea)?

M

Last edited by mechanima on 04 Mar 2009, 7:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

I have a friend who is a Tibetan Buddhist and she goes to "silent retreats" where no one speaks for the entire weekend. They listen to the teacher sometimes and they follow instructions for meditation and they just don't talk to each other. She loves it.

sounds nice... i like the idea of communicating without words:) whenever i meet a girl i like, i find that i communicate much better with touch then with words...which they seem to like, if they are serious:) otherwise they get worried and run away...

a problem for me though is that if i dont speak for a while i forget how to and talking becomes very awkward...actually talking is always awkward for me, but more so if i dont do it for a few days...

I'm having one, because I'm getting over a cold. It's driving me crazy, but I know that I need to stay away from people right now. I don't want to make them sick.

I guess it could be nice but if I am wanting quiet time I usually prefer to just be alone. (or maybe with family)

Too easy. I do what you describe just about every day.

Interesting answers...no big negatives.

Of course I am not saying it would be for everybody, I always default to being alone, for preference, myself, but such an event might be easier for some of us as it removes any pressure to interact.

M.

It'd be as much fun as stabbing myself in my right eyeball with a toothpick.

Sounds wonderful to me.

<scritch scritch scritch> (sound of me signing up )

Its good to have quiet time though. Granted, people probably think I take too big of a share of quiet, but I see so many people every day who are just talking to hear the sounds of their own voices, small bored children keening and chanting, loud obnoxious machines grinding, pinging, winding, beeping etc., away - it is soooo nice at the end of the day when they are all gone, the loud ventilation system finally kicks out, and things are winding down. Its the most relaxing part of the day. I think a lot of the stress and aggravation would be alleviated if people just took the time to let the noise fade out of their heads (but I know some individuals where that actually would drive them crazy as well <shrug>).

I have had the opportunity to work mostly silently but in concert with the occasional individual. It was a very comfortable thing, I could straighten out my thoughts and offer input without anyone throwing me off track. Absolute heaven, actually.

I once drove 19 hours straight - without speaking to anyone except to order take-out - because it was is was both easier and more plesant than dealing with the people at the Airport.

Haha, that sounds like me. I once drove from Florida to here pretty much non stop.

I have been at silent retreats a couple of times (in a Christian context, in connection to my theological study). I really like that.
And I'm going to another one soon... look forward to that.

I love quiet days and do them as much as I can.

If I can only shut out all the voices in my mind, then it would be very peaceful.

Sharing ideas is fun, but quiet has its attractions too. I think I'd like it.