I think it's about communication but maybe it's also tied to being well-rounded and having interests in many different areas...My husband took pride in having broad interests. So he could engage in interesting conversations with men as well as women...He actually felt that some men could be too "limited." (Limited to conversations about sports or cars or maybe their stock holdings or jobs etc.)...And some women "limit" their conversations to their kids and grandkids or maybe clothes or styles or "house stuff."...Men and women who have broad and varied interests seem to do better when it comes to conversing with the opposite sex. Don't you think?

It depends on the motive. Some people are naturally curious. Others are desperately seeking various forms of escape.
It's important to find out what your motive is.

Probably true. I've never limited my discussions to kids, clothes and "house stuff." I tend to lose interest if a guy limits his conversations to cars and work. Sports, I can handle, depending on which sport/team they're talking about.

Yeah, some guys do assume they're always needed to fix something. It's the guys who don't assume that who seem to communicate better at times.

Hey Richard...What do you mean by "desperately seeking various forms of escape"?...Are you saying some people feign interest as a way to ingratiate themselves to a man or woman they are trying to control, are you saying some people constantly babble as a way to keep the spotlight directed on them, or are you saying some people use constant babble as a manipulation tactic?....OR...All of the above?...

Anyhoo

Not this. Many people are unhappy, and so they seek things to do to distract them from their sorrow. An alternative is to find out why there is sorrow in the first place.

You bring up an important thought. If someone is babbling doesn't it imply that they aren't giving care to what they are saying?
And if that is the case, I can understand how it would be tiresome listen to.

yeah, i hate that

Just get on with it already!!!

Understand...Rather than fix what's wrong with them they avoid by finding ways to escape their unhappiness or better, their own reality...

It could imply that as well as a lot of other things I would think...Mental illness, depression, poor social skills, attention deficit disorder, loneliness, a need for attention ...the list goes on and on...

The notion of social-skills can be tricky since we all come from different backgrounds and cultures. Don't you think?...What is the norm in our particular culture? How are men and women expected to "act?" What are the "rules" when it comes to "talking" (or not?)...Are we suppose to be passive and agreeable at all times? Or is it okay to "speak-out" and say how we "honestly feel?"...Is it "okay" to tell someone that we'd like to "switch topics" for awhile? Or ask for a little silence and "quiet time?" I think it all depends on our culture and "programming." Don't you?

Morning Claire...I think it's COULD depend on culture in SOME cases, but only in part and depending on the conversation...I think good manners, social etiquette, and plain old common sense transcend cultural differences...And we are talking about blabbering, as in takling non stop...In my experience there is usually an underlying reason and it never seems to be anything but negative...

Good morning to you too!...I run into people in my area who complain non-stop to me and anyone else around...When I see them with their friends I notice that everyone complains most of the time. (So I figure it must be their culture.)..If someone joined their group and talked about too many positive things I'm sure they would be regarded as a weirdo or an "outcast."...I live in a "melting pot" kind of area with "mixed cultures." So I "tread lightly" and listen most of all. (Listen and observe and try to gain some understanding about the "rules" and norms in all the various cultures.)...I know some people who barely talk at all. Yet other people seem to get "antsy" and nervous when there is silence. (And rush right in to fill-up the "void.")...I try to spend the majority of my time with people who prefer "2-way conversations." And people who share some of my interests...Years ago I lived in an area where there was more of a "common culture." But now I'm part of a "mixed bag." And I want to be tolerant and non-judgemental...Quite a few men in this area are big, big talkers. (They are not shy or "reserved.") But it seems to make them happy to talk so this is good.

This is a good post and a great attitude....Most people I meet know how to have a two way conversation, thank gud! But the few who don't, I usually try my best to avoid...It is not very interesting or fun when all you can do is use body language as a way to participate in a conversation because you can't get a word in....I have a neighbor like this...He talks non stop and if he sees me working in the yard or walking Emmie, he pounces and rattles on and on...This prevents me from getting my work done and walking Em ...He's so bad about this that I now walk my girl after dark which is sometimes a little scary He also gossips about everyone in the neighborhood and I find this quite unpleasant and somewhat dishonest...I don't care for gossip or people who have a need to put their whole life on the street...Not my vibe at all!!...

Leigh...Thanks for responding. Sorry about your neighbor. I have a male neighbor who goes on and on and on too...He's a widower and I know he's lonely without his wife..I finally had to tell him that I was sorry but I just couldn't be his one and only friend...And I'm not interested in a "love" relationship right now either...For awhile he used to come knocking at my door everyday to tell me about his latest problem. Or just to "run" some of his thoughts "by me" etc...Finally I told him that he was a grown man and I had confidence that he could "figure-out" solutions to his problems on his own. (I patted him on his arm and shoulder when I said this.)..I'm a widow (with no family left) and I'm on my own now too...Part of my growth process involves "figuring things out" for myself. (This is how I feel anyway.)...I don't like gossip either. This is why I tend to just "keep to myself."

I hear you! ...I also avoid threads that I feel are created for the purpose of gossiping about other members... No matter how cleverly disguised, eventually these bullies and gossips always seem to be detected by the moderators...A very good thing IMO ...Having moderators on the boards and being able to report posts that break the rules is what puts Mingle ahead of other sites in terms of quality forums..

I think it's about communication but maybe it's also tied to being well-rounded and having interests in many different areas...My husband took pride in having broad interests. So he could engage in interesting conversations with men as well as women...He actually felt that some men could be too "limited." (Limited to conversations about sports or cars or maybe their stock holdings or jobs etc.)...And some women "limit" their conversations to their kids and grandkids or maybe clothes or styles or "house stuff."...Men and women who have broad and varied interests seem to do better when it comes to conversing with the opposite sex. Don't you think?


Greeneyes; I agree. Being well-rounded is important to me. I think its particularly hard for me to meet a man on my level. I have done a lot of traveling and have had experiences in the military that most men simply can't comprehend; so the conversation with them is very limited and can be quite boring.