Women Friendship - Part 8

Talking is Essential Among Friends

Talking is an integral component of friendship. In any friendship, some talking is merely one person reciting his/her self- centered problems. However, talking between friends requires reciprocity. In a mutually satisfying friendship, both friends talk and both friends listen, usually to an equal degree.

When a friend talks and reveals ideas or feelings, he/she is expecting shared information in return. When the talk is not equal, the friend talking feels as if the listener is uninterested. In fact, the friend who is always the listener is really playing the role of a counselor, not that of friend. Anytime you have been talking for more than a minute or two without participation from the person you are talking to, you are lecturing, bossing, or putting your friend in the role of a counselor.
People talk for many reasons. And people don't talk for just as many reasons.

Why Talk?
People talk to extend themselves to another, to accept responsibility for the growth of the relationship, and to share ideas or feelings with someone else. Good, rich conversation is always available for friends.

Why Not Talk?
People don't talk for a variety of reasons. One person may be shy. Another may not know what to say in a particular situation such as the death of a relative. The timing may be off. A night owl may seldom talk in the morning. A friend reacting to stress may be temporarily mute. And last, but not least, talking can be a lot of work. But friendship is a lot of work as is anything worth having.

How to Talk.
Be excited. People who talk enthusiastically and with vocal animation are listened to more often by everyone.

Be Sensitive.
Be sensitive to the needs of your friend. Diffuse defensiveness by using "I" statements rather than "you" statements. Saying "I feel upset when I have to wait," is less threatening than saying "You're always late"
And when friends talk to you, show gratitude for their confidences. "Thank you for sharing that with me" is the language of friends.

Friends Talk Appropriately.
Make certain your subject is appropriate to the situation. For example, you would not disclose your exciting new promotion while your friend was telling you about her mother's terminal illness.