Everyone is unique. It’s the engine which makes us go through the world. Some people ridicule differences and many people dwell on what they consider to be bad personality or character traits. I believe self-clarity and acceptance is the path to serenity. Here is my response to a writing prompt from my group which asks about character or personal traits you may or may not want to change. And don’t be surprised if this goes into my Growing up Girls book series. The first in the series “Diary of a 6th Grade “C” Cup” was just released on Amazon.
“Suzanne is a good student and contributes to class, but she does have a tendency to chat too much.”
That comment on a Kindergarten report card was the start and not the last such comment of my school career. Did I chat too much? Yes. Should I have? No, I’m sure it disturbed class. In grade school, a few friends and I even learned to sign a bit to chat silently during class.
Yes, I’ve talked to everyone who would listen, since I could speak. And maybe some that wouldn’t listen. This is perhaps one of the reasons my husband now has deaf ears from tuning out my voice. Sometimes I worry and guard about this with new friends. But I argue that being a “Chatty Cathy” is a benefit in many situations.
When you’re new in school, in class, or in a neighborhood, who makes friends first? The person who chats people up and gets to know them.
If a job interviewer has a choice between someone who sat silently during the interview or someone who was able to articulate why they should be hired, who would get the job?
At a wedding, party or any other event, who has a better time? The one who initiates conversation with everyone at the table.
Answering questions and giving speeches or oral tests in school never causes queasiness for a Chatty Cathy or an action which required janitorial clean up. Instead, that talent earns high marks in school and makes speech and debate classes a breeze.
In the job market, being chatty is particularly useful when in sales. Talking to a customer as a friend and giving them a lot of information gives a quick sense of trust and familiarity, which is useful when convincing them to buy large ticket items like a home or a car.
And while not a requirement, being chatty gives you self-confidence that can be used to act or sing in front of others. This self-confidence is also helpful in creating early self-esteem in young people. Something experts have lauded for helping youths resist peer pressure and temptations.
Yes, the chatty technique must be honed, as you must also learn to listen. And will it get you in trouble? Yes, more than once.
And don’t get me wrong, I’m not admonishing the strong silent types. I believe you must be true to yourself. But I cheer in admiration instead of correct or scorn those who are labeled chatty. It serves you well.
(c) Copyright Suzanne Rudd Hamilton, 2020 All Rights Reserved.
SUZANNE RUDD HAMILTON 