You keep on talking trash,
but you never say anything.
The art of conversation. It's probably a good idea to ask questions but not too probing, tell stories but only if they have a point of interest or humour to them. Talk about work and holidays, but not every detail of your day/week. Listen and offer mmms, ahhs, ohs and yeahs as appropriate; there's no need to repeat exactly what has been said to show you've taken it in. Try and relate the people or concepts to the person you're talking to, tailor the conversation to suit their relationship with you.
Above all, make it a two-way thing. Ensure an even distribution by recognising when you are going off the point, talking for too long or remembering that while the other person may know every single thing about what you do on a day-to-day basis, you have little concept of what their work entails.
Two and a half hours of conversation, and it was only in the last ten minutes that we got to what I was doing that weekend, in my life, or anything about me in general and by this point, I was so dying to get rid of the person on the other end of the line that all my responses were fairly short and noncommittal. I would have gladly said more, but there wasn't much of a chance to get a word in edgeways prior to then, and questions were only asked once the other person had run out of things to go on and on and ooooon about...
Today has taught me: there's a reason why I don't like to speak to people on the phone, I only need one conversation to confirm this.
On the jukebox: Spandau Ballet ~ True
Two and a half hours of conversation, and it was only in the last ten minutes that we got to what I was doing that weekend, in my life, or anything about me in general and by this point, I was so dying to get rid of the person on the other end of the line that all my responses were fairly short and noncommittal. I would have gladly said more, but there wasn't much of a chance to get a word in edgeways prior to then, and questions were only asked once the other person had run out of things to go on and on and ooooon about...
Texting FTW!
Today has taught me: there's a reason why I don't like to speak to people on the phone, I only need one conversation to confirm this.
On the jukebox: Spandau Ballet ~ True
I want to know what it says on your phone screen...! I love texting. I am also constantly paranoid that I talk too much about myself.
ReplyDeleteTexting ftw indeed. I've never much liked talking on the phone - I think it's the fear of that 'awkward' silence that puts me off.
ReplyDeleteI used to hate having to phone up people but I've gotten used to it now having to do it so much at Uni. Now I prefer phoning up a bank or buisness company because I know what is going to be sad and what I need to say and that's all there is to it.
I've discovered if I just bombard a person with questions conversation usually flows quite nicely.
Txt rulez ok!
There are a few people I really enjoy talking to on the phone, and can have a really good conversation with. But then I really enjoy talking to those people anyway, so I guess those phone calls are just part and parcel of that.
ReplyDeleteTxting < emails < letters < IM < Phone calls < Real life.
@Claire: I know it's not as fun as working it out yourself from a picture, but it says something along the lines of: "Yay, 6 missed calls & 2 txts later, here it is! So who's coming to notts this wknd...?"
ReplyDeleteIt was supposed to be finished; it was supposed to be sent. But neither of those were accompolished, and instead, I spent two and a half hours on the phone thinking, hmm, not sure I do actually want to visit this wknd...
I should have gone; I should have said yes.
Today has taught me: Do not leave your phone on when you go to bed - you will be contacted by someone (probably drunk) telling you what a great time they're having, how everyone wants they could meet you and wish you could be there!!!
And it will make you feel RUBBISH.
@Dickie: I'd much rather see a person to talk to than talk on the phone. But, as we all are aware, that becomes less and less possible as we get older and geographically challenged, so in recent times, I have got better at just calling up for a chat. Still, with a choice, I'd usually go for internet means.
phone calls < IM < texting < emails < letters < real life.
Probably.
Facebook < emails < texting < letters < IM < phone calls < real life
ReplyDeleteI think. Depends on the person. I'm more reliable on the internet than I am with my phone, but phone still feels more personal and part of my 'say yes' campaign has been to try and get better at phone chats!
I did my lil rank thing on a whim, but its kinda interesting seeing how other people have done it. For me, the rank pretty much relates to how much information that method of communication allows you to convey, as well as immediacy. You can't say much in a text, so it's bottom. You can say more in a letter, but IM is more immediate, etc.
ReplyDeleteHow did you two come to your rankings?
Heh, it is kind of hard to rank, as each element is used for different things. Basically, I hate phone calls.
ReplyDeleteTexts tend to be for informative purposes ("Meeting @ cine @ 7pm, ok?") or catch-up without a cause, or an stmtm to the person who matters the most, just to let them know...sigh. Texts are great cos there's no pressure to say much, but it still seems like you're keeping in touch.
Emails pretty much cover facebook, as I don't tend to send emails so much these days and is used for catch-up at a time that is convienient for both parties, due to the delay in send/receive. I hardly use MSN these days either, less than phonecalls, and yet still preferable. Though my MSN is crapp, so that makes things harder.
Letters are like the best thing ever, but the time delay and expense isn't so great, especially overseas.
And where would we be without RL? I suppose we'd all be weirdos in front of a computer screen, our sole means of communication being...oh, wait.
;o)
I'd be interested to see what other people's rankings are...