Steven Hawking's Hero
Posts: 6,445 
November 28th, 2006, 07:30 AM
http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/langu...es/003420.html
efforts to divide the genders.
http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/langu...es/003420.html
Quote:
This old saw is making the rounds again. Is there any truth to it or is one of these pop psychology
This morning, I spent a fruitless hour trying to track down the source of Louann Brizendine's assertion that: "A woman uses about 20,000 words per day while a man uses about 7,000".
efforts to divide the genders.
Knows No Bounds
Posts: 3,428
Videos: 2
Location: 50° 30' N, 104° 38' W
Videos: 2
Location: 50° 30' N, 104° 38' W
November 28th, 2006, 08:05 AM
It's certainly consistent with my experience that women talk more than men, though admittedly the only evidence I have is purely anecdotal and I can't put any numbers on it.
It seems to me, in fact, that most women cannot not talk if there's anybody visible within hearing distance. They'll talk even when they have nothing to say, a proposition I've tested several times with various women in my life, including my wife, my sisters, and assorted in-laws. For instance: sitting at the kitchen table with my wife over a pot of coffee, both of us reading, and I'll get short comments at random intervals on the book she's reading, which interrupt my concentration without my actually understanding what she said. So we have this exchange:
Me: Uh, sorry, what'd you say?
Her: Oh, nothing.
But ya gotta pay attention because at some point she might say something you need to hear, and you'll get that "You don't listen to me" complaint if you miss it. And if you say, as I did once, "If you have nothing to say, please stop saying it," the odds that you'll be sleeping on the couch for at least one night zoom upwards. So I take my book and coffee into the living room, still within hearing distance but out of sight, and the comments stop.
It's certainly consistent with my experience that women talk more than men, though admittedly the only evidence I have is purely anecdotal and I can't put any numbers on it.
It seems to me, in fact, that most women cannot not talk if there's anybody visible within hearing distance. They'll talk even when they have nothing to say, a proposition I've tested several times with various women in my life, including my wife, my sisters, and assorted in-laws. For instance: sitting at the kitchen table with my wife over a pot of coffee, both of us reading, and I'll get short comments at random intervals on the book she's reading, which interrupt my concentration without my actually understanding what she said. So we have this exchange:
Me: Uh, sorry, what'd you say?
Her: Oh, nothing.
But ya gotta pay attention because at some point she might say something you need to hear, and you'll get that "You don't listen to me" complaint if you miss it. And if you say, as I did once, "If you have nothing to say, please stop saying it," the odds that you'll be sleeping on the couch for at least one night zoom upwards. So I take my book and coffee into the living room, still within hearing distance but out of sight, and the comments stop.
Super Genius
Posts: 1,367
Location: Great Satan
Location: Great Satan
November 28th, 2006, 09:07 AM
You're (men) sitting there reading, watching tv, whatever...silent and you get this question:
"Is something wrong?" or "Are you ok?"
Silence is almost anathema to the women I've ever dated or been married to. So, I don't have any numbers to back this up either, but life experience shows me that women talk more.
In fact, if it is my wife that is being quiet, I KNOW something is wrong and will ask her what's going on.
Quoting Dexter Sinister
I'd have to agree with this, and not to hijack the thread but has anyone had this happen?
It's certainly consistent with my experience that women talk more than men, though admittedly the only evidence I have is purely anecdotal and I can't put any numbers on it.
It seems to me, in fact, that most women cannot not talk if there's anybody visible within hearing distance. They'll talk even when they have nothing to say, a proposition I've tested several times with various women in my life, including my wife, my sisters, and assorted in-laws. For instance: sitting at the kitchen table with my wife over a pot of coffee, both of us reading, and I'll get short comments at random intervals on the book she's reading, which interrupt my concentration without my actually understanding what she said. So we have this exchange:
Me: Uh, sorry, what'd you say?
Her: Oh, nothing.
But ya gotta pay attention because at some point she might say something you need to hear, and you'll get that "You don't listen to me" complaint if you miss it. And if you say, as I did once, "If you have nothing to say, please stop saying it," the odds that you'll be sleeping on the couch for at least one night zoom upwards. So I take my book and coffee into the living room, still within hearing distance but out of sight, and the comments stop.
It seems to me, in fact, that most women cannot not talk if there's anybody visible within hearing distance. They'll talk even when they have nothing to say, a proposition I've tested several times with various women in my life, including my wife, my sisters, and assorted in-laws. For instance: sitting at the kitchen table with my wife over a pot of coffee, both of us reading, and I'll get short comments at random intervals on the book she's reading, which interrupt my concentration without my actually understanding what she said. So we have this exchange:
Me: Uh, sorry, what'd you say?
Her: Oh, nothing.
But ya gotta pay attention because at some point she might say something you need to hear, and you'll get that "You don't listen to me" complaint if you miss it. And if you say, as I did once, "If you have nothing to say, please stop saying it," the odds that you'll be sleeping on the couch for at least one night zoom upwards. So I take my book and coffee into the living room, still within hearing distance but out of sight, and the comments stop.
You're (men) sitting there reading, watching tv, whatever...silent and you get this question:
"Is something wrong?" or "Are you ok?"
Silence is almost anathema to the women I've ever dated or been married to. So, I don't have any numbers to back this up either, but life experience shows me that women talk more.
In fact, if it is my wife that is being quiet, I KNOW something is wrong and will ask her what's going on.
Member
Posts: 101
November 28th, 2006, 09:55 AM
LOL, just a bit of holiday humor.
Quoting Dexter Sinister
Me: Uh, sorry, what'd you say?
Her: Oh, nothing.
But ya gotta pay attention because at some point she might say something you need to hear
Dex, that's a test question to see if you are still alive, and a reply of "Oh, nothing," is excellent if you have a living will that request "DO NOT RESUSCITATE". Me: Uh, sorry, what'd you say?
Her: Oh, nothing.
But ya gotta pay attention because at some point she might say something you need to hear
LOL, just a bit of holiday humor.
Steven Hawking's Hero
Posts: 6,445
November 28th, 2006, 11:38 AM
I think women often use non-verbal behavior for some serious interaction....eliciting some kind of response from the guy - even though he has no idea what she wants. So he asks and gets a "look" hehehe
Anyone have some special behaviors in their own relationships?
When I was really mad I stopped talking and that was 100% effective in our home...me quiet was serious!!
Here's a stunningly boring article about non-verbal cues....
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Speech/rccs/theory20.htm
I think women often use non-verbal behavior for some serious interaction....eliciting some kind of response from the guy - even though he has no idea what she wants. So he asks and gets a "look" hehehe
Anyone have some special behaviors in their own relationships?
When I was really mad I stopped talking and that was 100% effective in our home...me quiet was serious!!
Here's a stunningly boring article about non-verbal cues....
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Speech/rccs/theory20.htm
Super Genius
Posts: 1,367
Location: Great Satan
Location: Great Satan
November 28th, 2006, 02:43 PM
Quoting Sassylassie
Well, I also find that the people who are "reader interruptors" are seldom seen reading a book themselves. I wonder if there is some real correlation there...
Nope, not all women talk more than men I'm very quiet by nature and the only time I prattle on and on is when I'm nervous. I hate it when someone starts talking to me while reading, I've been known to throw the odd book at those evil doers.
Time Out
Posts: 4,276
Videos: 1
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Videos: 1
Location: Richmond, Virginia
November 28th, 2006, 03:11 PM
This subject is on my NBC news at 4. Thats all Im saying about it
This subject is on my NBC news at 4. Thats all Im saying about it
Member
Posts: 101
November 28th, 2006, 05:47 PM
actually I am quite most of the time so that when I do say something others think it must be something profound. That doesn't pertain to my typing though, typing is indeed passive, however, gives one carpul tunnel.
Quoting Sassylassie
You're right Sass, having options is always best
I was thinking more of a Tazer gun when the Reader Interuptus bugs me I can zap them and as they flop around the floor having a spasm I can read in peace or enjoy the floor show.
actually I am quite most of the time so that when I do say something others think it must be something profound. That doesn't pertain to my typing though, typing is indeed passive, however, gives one carpul tunnel.
Genius
Posts: 998
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
Location: Was Victoria, now Ottawa
November 28th, 2006, 06:17 PM
It's all relative. Some men talk more then women, some women talk more then men. They always want to say we're equal, then they make these comparisons to say we're different. Everyone is different. Who does these studies, and of what importance are they?
It's all relative. Some men talk more then women, some women talk more then men. They always want to say we're equal, then they make these comparisons to say we're different. Everyone is different. Who does these studies, and of what importance are they?
