Indeed, most people listen to respond... which is perhaps OK to the degree it helps establish a connection and common ground across which to communicate. But more often than not it's pure derailment and "taking over" the conversation.

I sometimes use the phrase "with your permission, I have a thought that might be relevant, whenever you're ready" if we're deep into things, and I have some insight that might help what we're talking about.

Coming from a family dominated by men, I have experienced this my entire life. As the only girl and the youngest my opinion was seldom respected and neither was my emotional state of being...

I can't even imagine; must have been uniquely difficult and challenging. Feeling ignored, marginalized and overlooked is a deep wound...

There is much to be said for "slowing things down" - and the added richness it gives life. Social media in general being the complete opposite of course...

Social media is mostly a snake pit of reactivity and vitriol, people sinking into all the darkest corners of their complexes and giving them voice inappropriately and often hurtfully. Gives you a real (and sad) sense of just how many of us are "the walking wounded," and it takes so little before we feel like cornered animals and lash out, accordingly.

I suppose I have always been far more of an observer/listener than a talker. The people I have counted as friends over the years have mostly been "mindful extraverts," or fellow listeners with whom even "being in silence together" communicates everything...

Just because we don't necessarily understand or relate to what someone shares, does not render their experience any less real to them.

Truer words were never said!
xo