Pontifictaion Number: 3456
Another observation I’ve discerned not-so-recently, but was brought more to light today…
I’ve noticed that, in some personalities, when a person doesn’t know much in a conversation, they talk a lot more.
It only cements more of Douglas Adams’ theories:
If human beings don’t keep exercising their lips, he thought, their mouths probably seize up. After a few months’ consideration and observation he abandoned this theory in favor of a new one. If they don’t keep on exercising their lips, he thought, their brains start working.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Here is an example:
- Them: I want to buy a widget.
Me: I can-
Them: *Still talking* I want to buy it today.
Me: Okay, I-
Them: *Still talking* I’ve never bought one before, so I’ll need some help.
Me: Okay, I-
Them: It needs to be blue, because I need it to match my shoes.
Me: I see, I-
Them: And I need a large one. Not those small ones you see on Television.
Me: Sure, but-
Them: I don’t see any widgets in your store.
Me: That is because-
Them: Please let me finish. I was trying to say that I need your help buying a widget. And I don’t see any here.”
Me:
Them: Do you sell widgets or not?
Me:
Them: Hello? I said I need your help.
Me: Were you finished?
Them: Yes, can I buy a widget?
Me: I was trying to tell you we don’t sell widgets here. They are a Specialty Product of that store, across the street. You can only buy widgets there, as they are the only store which makes them.
Them: You were not very helpful.
This observation does not apply to everyone, or any one personality archetype, but I imagine some archetypes suffer from it more than others.
I guess I’m bothered by this behavior, because when I don’t know something, I tent to be more quiet than talkative, as I don’t like revealing how stupid I am.
‘Tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.
- Samuel Johnson
Comment by Aunt Doe — December 18, 2009 @ 9:35:31 PM
did you get a new job selling widgets (or NOT selling them)?
Comment by Cisco — December 20, 2009 @ 12:07:10 AM