By Karen Gavis/se news editor
We have all been in a class or a meeting where one person tries to monopolize the room.
Some people are all talk, and it makes a person wonder sometimes if they really have that much to say or are just trying to gain attention. Often, it seems to be the all-about-me thing that is going on.
Listening is a skill, and those who talk less generally listen to and observe more of what is going on around them. That is not a bad thing, especially in a college environment. It is wonderful that we as college students have the freedom to ask questions and even challenge ideas that are presented. And that is something that can be done effortlessly with tact and respect.
When a classmate loudly voices an opposing opinion to an instructor with an obvious attitude, it is not cute. It merely shows an obvious fact that a rude individual has a lot to learn. And when discussions develop into heated arguments where students angrily exit the classroom, it is a further distraction that creates an unpleasant learning environment.
Usually, the situation happens when there was a failure to listen to instructions. We are here to learn, but learning might arrive faster if mouths are closed and instructions listened to more often.
Another thing to keep in mind is that just because a fellow student, coworker or significant other is dominating a discussion does not necessarily mean their information is correct. This is another good reason to just remain silent sometimes.
After observing for a while, one notices that big talkers are often short on action. While they are non-stop motor-mouthing, someone else plods diligently along accomplishing a task. It is sort of like the tortoise and the hare. I bet that hare was a talker.
It is beneficial to stop occasionally and breathe in the aroma of a honeysuckle bush. Pausing just to listen can be equally beautiful. It helps if the birds are singing. Like woodpeckers and crickets, humans too have a unique sound. If we pause long enough, we might hear it.
Who knows, given the chance to speak, that noiseless person who doesn’t contribute much to the conversation may be an interesting individual.
