In my ’80s

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Why does Person A (let’s give him the name Logan) regularly talk more than does Person B (Roxanne)? Let’s explore possibilities. Does any of these hold true for you?

1. Logan came from a talkative family.
       Roxanne grew up in a quiet family. 
2. One of Logan’s favorite college courses was Speech.
       Roxanne was petrified when having to give speeches in class.
3. Logan is an extrovert.
       Roxanne is an introvert. 
4. Logan is socially gregarious.
       Roxanne has a few very good friends. 
5. As a male Logan thinks it’s expected of him to speak up.
       As a female Roxanne senses her secondary role when with guys. 
6. Logan feels obligated, because of his position of responsibilities, to give voice to collective issues.
       As an administrator, Roxanne wishes to manage by example. 
7. Logan thinks that his social and economic status entitle his speaking up.
       Roxane is lower on the social ladder and thus keeps quiet. 
8. Logan always has lots to say.
   Roxanne knows much but has little worth sharing.
9. Logan is afraid to remain silent.
       Roxanne is afraid to speak up.
10. Logan talks because of compulsive tendencies. He can’t help it.
        Roxanne is compulsively quiet. She can’t help it.
11. Logan talks his way to clarifiying what he thinks.
        Roxanne prefers to come to conclusions before she talks.
12. Logan has always empathetically reached out to others..
        Roxanne expresses compassion nonverbally.
13. Logan talks in order to gain control of a social situation.
        Roxanne knows that silence is an extremely effective controller.
14. Logan feels uneasy when conversation lags.
        Roxanne feels no need to fill conversational pauses.
15. Logan talks as a way of making a good impression.
        Roxanne prefers to hide her own insecurities. 
16. Logan talks to cover up what he doesn’t know.
        When Roxanne is ignorant of the topic, she listens.
17. Logan is self-centered, thus enjoys talking about himself.
        Roxanne seldom divulges anything personal.
18. Logan knows that people think he is funny/learned/accomplished, so he doesn’t want to disappoint them.
        Roxanne has nothing to prove, nothing to uphold. 
19. Logan talks out of habit.
        Roxanne is quiet out of habit.
20. Logan prefers that we don’t psychoanalyze him!
        Roxanne prefers the we don’t psychoanalyze her!