Mindless Communication; Ch. 11; page 344-345
I would say that when I partake in mindless conversations they tend to be phatic communications rather than scripted. I have mindless conversations with customers all the time to have them feel that I am interested in what they are saying. Most of the time, I'm not interested. I simply let them I guess let them release their story they have been wanting to tell someone. Rather than being rude, I don't interrupt them and let them say what they want to say. My way of letting them know I'm listening is something subtle like nodding or smiling. It does however surprise me sometimes what people are willing to divulge to a stranger. Sometimes the conversation will be a form of nagging about their spouse (which are usually pretty funny). I know I wouldn't say some of the stuff I hear while I'm helping a customer with their purchase.
last day to blog
14 years ago
This is funny. I have had the same experiences where my customers would tell me some wild stuff that would make me raise an eyebrow or two, but for the most part I too just nod my head so as not to be rude and to look like I am listening. As a leasing agent I took a million work orders from people who needed something fixed in her or her apartment. People will divulge damn near anything short of killing her or her spouse or setting the kitchen on fire, amazing. Anyways, I've heard it all and after about 1 week I slipped into "ultra-phatic" conversation mode where I just constantly nodded my head to everything people said to me because it was all the same. I do not miss those day. I look forward to graduating and engaging in some real conversation that sparks my interest.
ReplyDeleteoops...I meant to say "his or her" a couple of times. I don't know why I typed "her or her"?
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