Week 10 - If You Listen Closely, You Might Hear Someone Speaking

                I had quite a bit of work this week, so it’s probably for the best that nobody called me back. I gave a card to an asexual gentleman this week, as well as some rando Asian biddy from the sixth floor of my residence hall. Both were courteous, thanking me and at least not giving me the deathstare. I felt like kind of a mook with the girl, though; when she thanked me, I didn’t go with the usual “No, thank YOU,” but I instead opted to say “You’re welcome.” Oh, the hypocrisy of it all.

                There is an important point upon which I would like to elaborate that doesn’t necessarily pertain to this experiment, but instead to the whole of human communication. I don’t know how many people reading this are going to agree with me or realize it, but it’s been bothering me ever since I came to college. Though it occasionally happens with people I am meeting for the first time, it occurs mostly with people I already know. I’m talking about the give and take of conversation, or lack thereof. When talking to people, it is all too often that they monopolize conversation. Now don’t get me wrong; I’m a good listener, and I understand it’s an important part of conversation to hear out what someone else has to say. I don’t want to sound like a whiny shit or anything, but what I’m saying is that listening has become a lost art. Nobody does it anymore. If I wouldn’t consciously interject what I want to say in conversation, I would just never end up saying it. Rarely does anyone ask for my story, ask my feelings on a subject, or want to know where I stand on an issue. Most of the people I’ve met thus far at college have been serious perpetrators of this crime; perhaps understandably, though I won’t forgive anyone for it. Think about it—Which person sounds like someone with whom you would want to be friends? Someone who listens to you after giving their two cents (or, God help me, BEFORE giving their two cents), or someone that tells you everything they think about a subject and then moves on?

                You know, I would elaborate upon this phenomenon, but I think I’ve just found the topic for my motivational speech. Have a good week, everyone.