pascalflower wrote:
natesmom wrote:
OK -- see what I mean ---
Even in my posts I am long-winded. When I read it, I drive myself nuts
Naturally, I'm not a talkative person. I most often want to be short, and to the point. I think being clear and concise is more important than sounding sweet or eloquent.
Sometimes I wonder if people have made up their minds that everything I say is useless or stupid and then they don't try to figure out what I've said. I know I'm not the best speaker and I can be very long and winding sometimes, but if people actually put some effort into their listening, (like a fraction of the effort they put into their needless smalltalk), they could perfectly ascertain what I intended to say.
It becomes confusing. Either what I say is too short and incomplete, or it's too long and meandering.
I don't know the sweet spot in communicating. I'm amazed at how some people can talk for hours about nothing and still make it sound good, and some people can explain a complicated thing in just a few seconds. I'm using the try-and-see how they respond method. Many times, people respond in a negative way, as what I've said apparently meant something completely different than what I had intended it to be.
Ugh, I know what you mean. Both my mom and my grandma have the ability to talk nonstop for hours on end, and yet everyone they're talking to appears to be interested or at least gives them the courtesy of following along and pretending to care. But when I say one quick thing people just smile nervously and look confused, or interrupt me. I don't get it!
Quote:
Sometimes I wonder if people have made up their minds that everything I say is useless or stupid and then they don't try to figure out what I've said. I know I'm not the best speaker and I can be very long and winding sometimes, but if people actually put some effort into their listening, (like a fraction of the effort they put into their needless smalltalk), they could perfectly ascertain what I intended to say.
I feel like that's the thing though, that most people don't really think hard about what they say or what they hear and that it just comes naturally, so maybe when I say something that isn't what they're used to hearing or doesn't flow normally or whatever that it messes up their whole thought process? Or something like that?