Friday, April 7, 2023

April 7: A Guide to Conversational Etiquette

 Here is The prompt for today.

We’d start by listening carefully. By listening carefully, we are, of course, actually saying wait for your turn to speak and close your ears to the outside world. We advise nodding in an emphatic manner, squinting at irregular intervals. Feign deep thought. Around this time, we may utter voiced or guttural sounds of affirmation.


For those of us who like to play proactive defense, it’s advised to try interjecting your point at key moments. Can your idea “clomp all over” what the other person may or may not be saying?


If successful, let your words tsunami over their ideas.

Fossilize the drivel that comes before 

A revelation.


If unsuccessful or more passive,

Return to active unlistening. Consider your past. What mistakes have you made? How did you atone for your sins? 


Now, the future:

What will tomorrow bring? Will it rain a week from Thursday? 


As the droning continues, watch for subtle cues. Is their volume flagging? Crescendoing? Have you been found elsewhere?

Are the ears of your audience a vessel worthy of your edict?


And, finally, when the moment comes:

Speak the only truth 

Worth hearing.

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