Mistakes I make when Trying to Talk to People

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lisa!
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of communicating with others, particularly when interests and understanding differ significantly. Participants share personal experiences of feeling misunderstood or isolated in conversations, exploring the dynamics of social interactions and the barriers posed by differing levels of knowledge or interest.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express frustration at their tendency to discuss topics that others do not understand, leading to feelings of loneliness.
  • Others share experiences of trying to explain complex subjects to those who lack interest or comprehension, resulting in ineffective communication.
  • A participant suggests that language barriers, including the use of technical jargon, may contribute to misunderstandings.
  • Some participants note that their interests often differ from those of their peers, complicating conversations.
  • There are mentions of adapting conversation styles based on the audience, with some participants indicating a shift in topics depending on the social context.
  • One participant humorously suggests that physical gestures, like a hair flip, might be a more effective form of communication than words.
  • Concerns are raised about the difficulty of finding common interests with the majority of people, leading to feelings of isolation.
  • Several participants discuss the importance of connecting with like-minded individuals, suggesting that finding a small percentage of people with shared interests could alleviate some frustrations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the challenges of communication when interests and understanding diverge. However, there is no consensus on how to effectively navigate these situations or whether finding common interests is feasible.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of confidence in their communication abilities, with some noting language difficulties and others reflecting on the complexity of their interests. The discussion highlights the nuanced nature of social interactions and the subjective experience of feeling understood or misunderstood.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring social communication challenges, particularly those who feel isolated due to differing interests or levels of understanding in conversations.

  • #31
heh, I've been found, i got a net message from the local university network from some biotechnology student and we started talking just because she liked the stuff i share on my computer :biggrin:
 
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  • #32
Math Is Hard said:
I can get around pretty well in French, but my Farsi is a mess. I only took it up to amuse my Iranian friends. They get a kick out of my horrible pronunciation. :redface: We are going out for Persian food today, and they are making me order for everyone at the table. :eek:
I really like people who can speak more than 2 language!:!)
 
  • #33
I feel like I know very little compared to most of the people in my French class. Almost everyone there is completely fluent in two languages and starting French as their 3rd language. There are several people in the class who are fluent in Russian and English, and most of the rest are fluent in Spanish and English. When we are on break, you are as likely to hear the students talking in Spanish or Russian as English!
 

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