Tag: sensitivity

It is a real thing. It is an anxiety disorder where the person is unable to speak in certain social situations.

This is going to be a snarky post.

Loquaciousness is an admirable trait, but not everyone is blessed with it. Because there are people who seem to have something to say in every situation. EVERY bloody situation. Even when the situation calls for, oh, I don”t know, sensitivity and reflection, they always have something to say – most of the time something off the cuff and inappropriately insensitive.

I understand that it is all about them and the insecurity they feel. It is a defense mechanism. Silence can be uncomfortable and it takes a relatively mature and secure person to sit in silence, to not have to voice an opinion. It might be that they learned that they wouldn’t be overlooked or taken for granted if they said something. It also takes a relatively sensitive person to know what is appropriate and inappropriate to say. But really, if you just say something for the sake of saying something, aren’t you just an empty clanging bell, or an annoyingly noisy cymbal?

I am fully aware that these feelings may just be unique to me and how I feel about certain situations. These are probably just my idiosyncrasies. I’ve been in situations where I’ve opened my mouth and promptly inserted my foot in it. I’ve been in environments where you’ve had to learn when you should or shouldn’t say something. I’ve been in circumstances when your ability to convey information was important for understanding. Not everyone has the opportunity to be in those teaching environments.

I think I need to follow my own advice. Not every situation that makes me want to shout “Can you just shut up?” requires it. You can teach people vocabulary, but you can’t necessarily teach people eloquence and utterance. Sensitivity is learned through experience. Also, it takes a certain humility and openness to want to know.

Okay, feelings expressed. I’m getting off my soapbox now.