sound of silence
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. - Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
Let me just say this, normally, I despise small talk. If you don't have anything better to talk with me about than the weather or some tidbit in the news, don't worry about speaking to me. I don't read the newspaper and I don't track the weather. It's amazing to me how most people are afraid of silence. Instead of standing quietly in the elevator they feel it necessary to talk with a complete stranger about the weather. I will not be offended if you don't talk with me and I hope that you will not be offended if I do not talk with you. I don't want to waste your time.
There are certain people with whom I will discuss news items or the weather but it will be in relation to something between us. The local news will have an impact on where I live or how much they are paying in taxes. The weather will impact their travel plans. These are acceptable situations.
Another one is the need for people to acknowledge each other as they pass in the hall. I never understood this when I was in school. I attended a small college so I knew most of the guys by sight. I didn't understand why everyone though it necessary to nod or say "hey" to each other as we passed in the halls. I could see them and they could see me. We didn't have useful information to exchange. Do people need validation of their existence from me? I'm certain that I have very little impact on their lives.
If you want to discuss your thoughts on musician or rock group to which you are listening now, I am interested in that conversation. Feel free to tell me what attracts you to a certain piece of music. Is it the beat? The words? The dramatic use of silence? If you need to tell me how much you hate a new TV show, I'll be all ears.
Languishing in banality
Worthless
Let me just say this, normally, I despise small talk. If you don't have anything better to talk with me about than the weather or some tidbit in the news, don't worry about speaking to me. I don't read the newspaper and I don't track the weather. It's amazing to me how most people are afraid of silence. Instead of standing quietly in the elevator they feel it necessary to talk with a complete stranger about the weather. I will not be offended if you don't talk with me and I hope that you will not be offended if I do not talk with you. I don't want to waste your time.
There are certain people with whom I will discuss news items or the weather but it will be in relation to something between us. The local news will have an impact on where I live or how much they are paying in taxes. The weather will impact their travel plans. These are acceptable situations.
Another one is the need for people to acknowledge each other as they pass in the hall. I never understood this when I was in school. I attended a small college so I knew most of the guys by sight. I didn't understand why everyone though it necessary to nod or say "hey" to each other as we passed in the halls. I could see them and they could see me. We didn't have useful information to exchange. Do people need validation of their existence from me? I'm certain that I have very little impact on their lives.
If you want to discuss your thoughts on musician or rock group to which you are listening now, I am interested in that conversation. Feel free to tell me what attracts you to a certain piece of music. Is it the beat? The words? The dramatic use of silence? If you need to tell me how much you hate a new TV show, I'll be all ears.
Languishing in banality
Worthless
posted by jprg4evr at 10:29
2 Comments:
Lemme guess.... your Meyers-Briggs profile is:
INTJ
second guess:
INTP
You've pretty much identified the difference between Introvert and Extrovert.
Introvert: Person who is rejuvenated by being alone.
Extrovert: Person who is rejuvenated by contact with others.
It's hard to be objective and rational about this one but I'll try.
I won't disagree that I am probably an INTJ but I do enjoy a good, meaningful conversation even with someone I despise. If Albert Brooks wanted to discuss the metaphysical qualities of rubber bands, I would join that conversation gladly. But if Jesus wanted to discuss whether it was going to rain later today (without giving away the answer, of course), I might be tempted to take a vow of silence.
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