On boring people.
Dec. 20th, 2009 03:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
unbibiumBasic Instructions gave instructions on how to listen to a boring story. And it managed to use the perfect example, since nothing is more boring than bored people.
I, and many people I'm close to, are often self-conscious of being boring. And I think a common assumption is that the topic plays a big part: how many people have heard their co-workers talking about their route to work and wanted to chloroform them? And yet, there are people out there who can make you interested in any topic. For example, I hate celebrity gossip, but somehow I enjoy Kathy Griffin's comedy specials. I never watch sports, but somehow when Adam Carolla talks about any sport, it makes sense. Also, watch any TEDtalk.
Then I read something that tied it all together. "A boring person is one who takes away your solitude, without giving companionship in return." I'm not sure of the source, or even the exact wording; it's not on Wikiquotes. Somehow the name Ambrose Bierce comes to mind. But the key words stuck, and since then, the world makes a little more sense.
It's not quite obvious yet how I can improve my conversational skills, but maybe that will happen unconsciously.
I, and many people I'm close to, are often self-conscious of being boring. And I think a common assumption is that the topic plays a big part: how many people have heard their co-workers talking about their route to work and wanted to chloroform them? And yet, there are people out there who can make you interested in any topic. For example, I hate celebrity gossip, but somehow I enjoy Kathy Griffin's comedy specials. I never watch sports, but somehow when Adam Carolla talks about any sport, it makes sense. Also, watch any TEDtalk.
Then I read something that tied it all together. "A boring person is one who takes away your solitude, without giving companionship in return." I'm not sure of the source, or even the exact wording; it's not on Wikiquotes. Somehow the name Ambrose Bierce comes to mind. But the key words stuck, and since then, the world makes a little more sense.
It's not quite obvious yet how I can improve my conversational skills, but maybe that will happen unconsciously.
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Wait.
Date: 2009-12-21 01:29 am (UTC)