Non-stop talkers

I’m tired. Really tired.

The reason? During two of today’s jobs, I met customers who talked nonstop.

The last one was a couple who talked over each other - and over me - the entire time. “How can they not hear how crazy it sounds?” I thought, feeling the social hangover creeping in…

Afterwards, I thought about an interview I recently heard with the Swedish actress Shima Niavarani. She said it was fantastic that she and a colleague could “parallel talk” with each other. They’d talk over one another and actually save time by doing so.

Just the thought of that made me dizzy. But it clearly worked for them.

Maybe that’s what the couple today were thinking too? “We have an hour with this expert. Let’s make the most of it.”

If I’d looked at it that way instead, maybe I wouldn’t have felt so annoyed. It would still have sounded odd to me, but not as stressful.

Next time, instead of getting frustrated, maybe I can focus on the fact that they’re engaged and eager to learn - even if their communication style isn’t exactly my cup of tea.

In the end, it’s all about the choices we make. We get to decide how we look at things.

It’s not easy. It’s a work in progress. But I’m determined to keep trying - even though a little more quiet in the world wouldn’t hurt anyone.