Deborah Tannen: “But What Do You Mean?” Women and Men inConversation
The title alone gave me a ‘heads-up” about the deep and, seemingly, ageless struggle for men and women to communicate. I think a lot of what was said was true-half way through though, I had to re-read the author’s name, as it seemed that the viewpoint was slanted against women. The part about apologies rand so true to me. Once, on a job, I had a male peer give me some advice as I was the newbie. He said, ” Its okay to be sorry, but just be sorry once; otherwise you really are a sorry mess”. I really appreciated his advice, and realized that I did apologize too much. I am much better at it now. Now, if someone clearly bumps into me-I do not say ‘ sorry’, and that’s good!
necikait 