You don’t need an extra cushion. You’re seeing this because I want to share with you what I’ve been puzzling about communication…
We usually listen to what other people say to respond, to get the information that we seek, or just to keep the conversation going to be polite.
From a comment on Quora about “meaningful conversation”: “What is most consistent in a meaningful conversation is being attuned to the needs of the person you are interacting with. Listening to small details that give you a clue of their state of mind, and life circumstance, and attempting to be what they need at that moment.”
But, what’s in it for you?
Think about the awkwardness you feel when the person you talk to give you a look, even though you have not finished what you want to say. That is enough for a reply. Do you still want to keep on talking? No, but you may already feel stupid about starting the conversation in the first place.
Being an introvert, I believe listening is enough when you consider your reply will be without substance or value to the speaker.
Sometimes it may be because you don’t have enough information to formulate a meaningful feedback. In these instances, open-ended questions like “What makes you think that?” or “Can you elaborate on why you feel that?” may work. Tune yourself into what the other person has to say, keep yourself focused, listening, and empathetic.
Isn’t this something you would wish for yourself, regardless of whether the person listening can help you or not?
As much as I hate to speak, I believe listening and talking can solve most of the problems.
#gai&coney #printify