We're going to wine country today to take my cousin out to lunch and wine taste. He's quite a talker, as am I, so my husband has requested he get a word in edgewise. I've promised. I know my right speech falls by the wayside when I am with certain people, and I'm a fast talker to boot. My husband speaks slowly and pauses in the middle of every sentence, which maddens most people and results in their interrupting him. I don't like overprotecting him, as it's his issue to address, but I will not be guilty of such insensitivity myself. He also is more comfortable with monologue than dialogue, and that hurts his cause as well. But he's asked me and I'm going to respect his wishes.
I think out loud, so I sometimes forget that listening has it's benefits as well. I already know more or less what I think, but listening, I could LEARN something. What a concept! I grew up in a family of verbal bulldozers, and have had to tamp myself down ever since I realized how overwhelming I can be to others. In my family of origin, it was my mother who lost out in verbal battles, as she wasn't as quick tongued and sharp as the rest of us. When I grew up, I felt guilty for my participation in such argumentative "talks" and I've tried to curb myself ever since. So I feel for my husband: I wouldn't want to try to get a word in with my family either. I'm going to behave. And I'm bringing duct tape along for my mouth just in case.
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