Overlapping "conversation"...

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I had a realization yesterday. You know about those conversations that we're always told to rudely jump into in order to join in?

Well, the fact that everyone is okay with themselves being interrupted, and interrupting you in turn, means that no one holds any real value in what they or you are saying. It's all hens' clucking, basically. Loud, difficult to understand, and hard to take seriously.

Why bother with such a nonsensical activity?

Chickens are more civilized. They also know where they stand in the hierarchy.

I think it's worse when the interruptions happen in a one-on-one conversation. It's like the other person is storing up what they want to say and they can't wait to say it. Sometimes there's a complete change of topic and zero response to what you just said. Moments like that are disheartening to me. Conversations shouldn't feel like a wrestling match. It's refreshing to be with a person who actually listens and responds.

When I was younger, I was good at monologues. If I could learn the give and take of conversation, why can't others?

Here! Here! I couldn't agree more. Actually, I suspect that a lot of the conversation games that are played are no more than one-upsmanship attempts, with various people jockeying for position and trying to be the top dog. How childish most of these people are. That's why I try to avoid these social discussions.

I agree. Any sort of small talk is meaningless, and therefore should be avoided.

It is a little nonsensical. As kids, we're told to ''wait your turn'' before speaking...but how are we supposed to get a word in edgewise if everyone is constantly interrupting each other? This is why I prefer one on one conversation.

They say I should join in conversations, but when I do join in conversations, people say, ''we wasn't talking to you!''

I never interrupt people. I must be the most easiest person to get on with, because I let them do all the talking, and I just ''yes'' and ''no'', and maybe throw in my opinion about whatever they're talking about when I can, and empathise when needed, and agree when needed, and ask questions when plucked up enough courage, and that's as far as it goes with me. I don't interrupt at all. I give myself enough time to think up what to say whilst listening, which makes empathising come naturally in the long run. And when I'm talking and someone else interrupts, I stop speaking immediately. I don't just carry on.

My ears are always open anyway. I never, ever ''not listen'' when somebody speaks to me. I hear their voice straight away, and turn to listen. The only times I haven't done this is when I thought they were talking to somebody else. But I still heard them speak.