I
t’s a scary thought, but I fear the art of witty conversation seems to
have gone the way of the 8-track tape player. I suspect its demise
began about the time texting began.
I’m not saying that people no longer converse. I’m simply saying
that few of them converse well.
Either in a business or in a social setting, it behooves you to learn
how to carry on a conversation gracefully. It’s also helpful if you learn
when to talk and when to keep your mouth shut.
Listening well is a big part of conversation. In an Emily Post book of
etiquette I once read, “A bore is defined as someone who talks about himself when you would rather talk
about yourself.” Emily certainly knew her stuff.
So few people listen to others that anyone who does a good job of listening will have the world at his or
her feet.
Today, our society is full of lonely extroverts longing for someone to listen to them. It’s sad, but it’s so
true. They take over meetings, regaling everyone with tales of themselves.
Writer F. Scott Fitzgerald noticed his little sister, Annabelle, was struggling with a lack of social skills, and
it was for her that he wrote one of his best short stories ever, all about the art of conversation or the lack
thereof and its impact on an otherwise lovely young girl with zero conversational skills. It’s entitled Bernice
Bobs Her Hair.
The story is about a beautiful but socially inept young girl st