In reading chapter 19, I was able to relate with most of the readings. Especially when I read the passage on private speaking: the wordy woman and the mute man, the comfort of home and public speaking: the talkative man and the silent woman.
In the passage on private speaking, the wordy woman and the mute man, I was able to identify with most of the points of this passage. When it comes to the men in my life, this passage screams most of their names, because of their behavior. When my mother and father had breakfast together, my mother had already been up for an hour or so and was ready to discuss the events that lye ahead for the day. Whereas my father just wanted to read the newspaper and eat his breakfast before he went to work. His reasoning to this was because at work he interacted with people all day long, he did not want to have a discussion with my mother first thing in the morning. Another example is when I call my best friend Bill on the telephone he is not really in the mood to talk, but he still listens to me rant and rave about the things that happened to me that day. When I ask him what he did during the day or how he is I get the same response of "nothing" or "I"m fine". So, this type of behavior not only occurs within a couple, but between everyday men and women.
In my personal experiences I think this passage rang most true. Anytime I have ever attended a seminar, or some type of social gathering, the men stood out more for their questions and comments. I had always thought that they did this to hear themselves speak, but after reading this passage it makes more sense to me that women do not want to be put on the spot or do not want to sound like a blabber.
Most men feel comfortable or are secure enough with themselves to speak in front of a crowd. Whereas a woman, again as stated in the paragraph above need to over analyze any situation before making a move.