New Creation

Why is it socially acceptable to say to some one: "You are Quiet", yet to tell someone that they talk to much is rude and insulting? I have heard it all my life and I realize now that the people who say it typically are the ones that never listen. Maybe I am not quiet, maybe I talk just the right amount, and maybe it is you who talks too much.

But what if I am "quiet" - what is wrong with that? What is it to you? Maybe the world would be better if more people were quiet and took the time to listen. Maybe I don't feel the need to speak just for the sake of hearing myself talk. Maybe I like to take my time to put thought into the conversation before a contribute to it. Is that a crime?

I really don't understand this obsession. I had someone who was well out of my sphere of conversation the other day (we were seated at a large table) shout out my name to me while I was listening to someone who was in my sphere. Not knowing why they were calling out to me I turned away from this interesting story to hear: "I wanted to see if you were awake, you are being too quiet". Well sorry, I find it rude to speak when someone else is talking. And frankly, I don't understand why he felt the need to say it. In point of fact I was doing a good share of talking, just at the moment I was lost in story of another person. That is how conversation works. You speak and others speak.

I think the next time someone tells me this I will respond with: "Well if you would be quiet for a minute maybe next time you will hear me."