Building Bridges

“Sitting down face to face and talking about things might not solve everything, but if we don’t do it, we’ll never understand each other at all.”

~ Matsumoto Rangiku, Bleach episode 63 (English version, of course) 

I was looking down the panel descriptions for this year’s BayCon and saw a panel on interpersonal communication skills. Everyone is encouraged to attend, it said, because such skills are great to have.

So true.

I know we’ve written about how important it is to listen, but for those who are shy or quiet or afraid, it’s perhaps also a good reminder that talking is important too. It’s hard to build solid friendships with people who don’t know anything about you, just as it’s hard for people to befriend you if you never share anything about yourself.

A good conversation has to involve more than one person, and that goes for both the talking and the listening. And good conversation skills go a long way in both deepening relationships and solving problems.

Last week, my family decided to give everyone some time during dinner where he or she could just talk and pour out everything that he or she has been thinking or worrying about. Only after said person had gotten everything out was anyone allowed to comment, advise, or give suggestions. I think it was a great idea. Banning interruptions also helped us avoid any possible arguments that arise from not fully understanding one person’s thoughts or problems. Hopefully, this is something we’ll continue to do.