Miscellaneous Forum

Do you remember that scene in Pulp Fiction where Vincent takes Mia to Jack Rabbit Slims.

Mia “Don’t you hate that?”

Vincent “What?”

Mia “Uncomfortable silences. Why do we feel its necessary to yak about b*lls**t in order to be comfortable?”
I just wondered how comfortable are you with periods of silence when your with other people? I've read that in some countries such as Estonia and Finland it is fairly common for folk not to feel compelled to speak just to break periods of silence
If I get no responses I'll know you all agree;)

i never think of silences as uncomfortable. no matter who i'm with. it is what it is. :) if i have nothing to say or don't feel like speaking - so be it.

Ah the strong silent type;)

haha...yeah. something like that.

Funny Dez, with me it's the opposite--it's the people that talk incessantly and don't allow any silence that make me uncomfortable. People who talk about nothing, talk just to hear their own voice, tell the same story 5 times in the same day, talk about the weather, blah, blah, blah... There's a guy I work with, and he's a nice enough guy but everybody in the office HATES him because he never shuts up. You can't get a word in and the story goes on, and on, forever. People hide when they see him coming in the hallways.

There used to be a time when chattiness was considered a vice. Now with all these crazy people like Oprah, Dr. Phil, and Larry King talking their heads off all the time about stuff they know nothing about, it's somehow considered good?

Weather sure is nice today.

I don't consider myself chatty but social. If there is uncomfortable silence, I will start up a conversation about something. When I feel awkward is when the reply is a short yes or no answer with no elaboration. Then what?! Obviously, they don't want to talk. I just move on.

BTW, I love Pulp Fiction. One of my favorite movies. The soundtrack is great, too!

I love pulp fiction

Hey, Edward I think we've all met that guy! I As you imply TV has played a part in promoting this talk about anything culture. I also get irked by radio DJs who say the most inane things. Just play the music!

Dao, lol:) "I see it turned out nice again"

Grace, I agree their are circumstances when conversation is only polite and I agree it can be bad mannered if folk give a curt one word response. That said, I think it's equally impolite for people to ignore the body language of people who clearly want to be left in peace!

Pamela, me too. It's a great film and one of Tarantino's best. I think Travolta and Thurman are just great in those roles.

i dont feel comforable with dead silences. i guess it is soem sort of insecurity. i feel as if it is my fault that the conversation doesnt go on then. However, with friends i am close to, i dont feel uncomfortable when there is silence. you know they ll accept you like you feel at the particular moment.

Big fan of all Tarantino movies although when i was in my 20's they used to scare the hell out of me and trouble me - but now i see them for what thwy are - a dark comedy
Uncomfortable silences - interesting
I take after my mother that i never stop talking
However recently i wa on a course learning about "Counselling" and now when possible i take a step back and try to listen attnetively (although difficult because my hearing is not great) - but i am more aware that even when people ar silent they can be actively thinking about things
NOW - "Don't YOU hate that!"

Sometimes you are just thinking, and don't realize how long it's been since the last person said something.

...or something worth listening to.

The rigors of work.

Sometimes with a friend nothing needs to be said.

I also remember from the movie "When Harry Met Sally", after they had done it, they were sitting in a restaurant the next evening eating in long silence. Harry said : "Its so nice when you can sit with someone and not have to talk. It just shows how really comfortable you are"