Lunch is a notorious time for my roommate and me to discuss the "controversial" topics we encounter in our everyday lives. Almost every week, at least one of our conversations ends in the following manner.
"You know what I hate?"
"What do you hate?"
"I hate boring people. No one can carry a conversation anymore. I tried talking to someone in my class today, and we ran out of things to say after 20 seconds."
"I agree. It's hard to find people with substance, anymore."
Sad, but true, not many people know how to hold a meaningful conversation nowadays. Simply walking down College Avenue, one will hear countless "he-said-she-said"s, all in varying Valley Girl accents. One will catch snippets of conversations about "how drunk I got last night, brah." However, one will probably not hear anyone discussing the recent happenings in Egypt, the rise in tuition costs, etc. At least, not from anyone under 25 years of age. Occasionally, one may encounter someone with whom he can hold a conversation. The conversation usually gets awkward pretty quickly, though, when one of the people can think of nothing more to say.
Society today is certainly not lacking in the rhetoric department, but the younger generations really need to learn some conversational skills. Or speaking skills, in general.
If they don't, who knows where tomorrow will take us. No one wants to live in a meaningless world, as seen on Jersey Shore. "He-said-she-said" will only get us so far.
To start, I would like to say that the world of Jersey Shore is a happy, joyous place. A place full of bronzer, hair gel and "juice". And if Sammi and Ronny aren't meaningful, than, I'm afraid, I don't know what is...
RăspundețiȘtergereNow that that is off my chest...
I know exactly what you're saying. It's SO hard talking to people, nowadays. No one wants to talk push through the awkwardness at first because they're spoiled and used to the ease that "juice" has added to our interactions. I try not to depend on it too much, but I must admit, it makes it a lot easier to have a conversation when the other party is a willing/substantive person. And if it takes a little "juice" to get him/her loose enough to at least respond with a rebuttal question or maybe even to lead the conversation, then so be it.
Sorry my comment is so long, but I keep thinking of stuff. I'm rushing a frat right now and I made a friend at one of the rush events. But our conversation was completely one sided. I fed the whole conversation. And from the outside, it would seem that I was more or less conversationally raping him with my awkward input. But I have this hunch that he, and some other shy friends I've made, don't mind being talked to. They like conversation, they just like for the effort to be 10% theirs and 90% theirs. So yeah, it's like conversational rape, but they like it...
I don't know if that made any sense, but take comfort in knowing that you and your roomie aren't the only ones left.
Haha, it's nice to know there are still people out there who actually know how to initiate a real conversation.
RăspundețiȘtergereI completely understand what you're saying with the whole shy people/"conversational rape" thing. And the juice thing, as well.
There's definitely nothing wrong with conversing with a shy person, as long as they're putting forth at least some effort. I, for one, can be a very shy person sometimes, and sure, sometimes I even rely on a little "juice" to help me at parties, but that doesn't mean the only thing I know how to do is gossip and talk about whose skin is the orangest. (woah, complete run-on sentence there)
It sounds like you've found a winning frat, though! Even if a few of the guys are shy. At least they want to make conversation and are interesting to talk to :) Good luck with the rushing process!