Quotes About Conversation

Context, as we will explore it in this chapter, is comprised of the spaces we inhabit, the things in those spaces, and the positions we choose to take in that space. It is a mistake to think of context as "just in the background." The context of a conversation can affect the course of a conversation, the feel of it, the outcome; it can even determine what kind of conversations we have.

despite the spreading of mass education, cognitive skills now seem to be weakening. Many employers, at least in the United States, experience difficulty finding workers capable of having a serious conversation, with over sixty percent of applicants lacking basic social skills.

Many of our discussions took place as we walked up and down the streets, sat on benches or stood in doorways taking shelter from the rain.

How is your writing going, Michael?" "Still from the top of the page on down, Mrs. Raglan.

I perceived quite early that I was a reader, and most of the people I came into contact with were not. It made a barrier. What they wanted to talk about were things they had eaten, touched, or done. What I wanted to talk about was what I had read.

I have the freedom to do what I want... bright people to talk to every day.

Genteel women suppose that those things do not really exist about which it is impossible to talk in polite company.

When marrying, ask yourself this question: Do you believe that you will be able to converse well with this person into your old age? Everything else in marriage is transitory.

Conversation is king; content is just something to talk about. —Cory Doctorow

If a starving bear ate my family, even though he may have had no wicked intentions, even though he was just being a bear, his nature has made him a menace, and I'm going to shoot him." He sounded exasperated by the conversation.

What should we call the other statue?" Tanu asked. "Nancy," Seth said quickly.

Almost there," Neil said, the first unsolicited words he had uttered since "I'll take your suitcase" back at the small airport in Flagstaff.

What did you promise?" Warren asked. "A real television of their own," Seth said. "I think they've earned it." "Does your grandfather know?" Warren asked. Seth shook his head. "Good luck with that," Warren said.

Hi," Cole said. "I'm not sure why I'm here." "I know the feeling," the woman said wryly.

Well," Waxillium said. "Perhaps I should begin by asking after your health." "Perhaps you should," Steris replied. "Er. Yes. How's your health?" "Suitable." "So is Waxillium," Wayne added. They all turned to him. "You know," he said. "He's wearing a suit, and all. Suitable. Ahem. Is that mahogany?

Hello?' M-Bot said. 'Spensa? Are you dead?' 'Maybe.' 'Oooh. Like the cat!' '...What?' 'I'm not sure, honestly,' M-Bot said. 'But logically, if you're speaking to me then possibility has collapsed in our favor. Hurray!

Oh, don't worry. If you didn't say some stupid things every once in a while, you certainly wouldn't fit in with this group.

I'd rather walk these chasms with a compulsive murderer than you. At least then, when the conversation got tedious, I'd have an easy way out." "And your feet stink," [Shallan] said. "See? Too early. I can't possibly be witty at this hour. So no arguments." She hesitated, then continued more softly. "Besides, no murderer would agree to accompany you. Everyone needs to have some standards, after all.

You have quite the clever tongue on you!" "I've never actually had someone's tongue on me," Shallan said, turning a page and not looking up, "clever or not. I'd hazard to consider it an unpleasant experience." "It ain't so bad," Gaz said.

Is there some kind of subtext to our current conversation? Because, as you might know, I am absolutely terrible with subtext. It gives me a headache." "You can't get headaches," "Well I can't get subtext either. Far too subtle for me.

Thank you. For being willing to talk. For not turning me in. For... being you.' 'I'm pretty good at being me,' I said. 'I've had all these years to practice--I hardly ever get it wrong these days.

Ham shook his head, sitting down, pouring himself something to drink. "I don't get it, El. Why'd she attack him?" "She's loony," Spook said.

Food?" he asked. "Is that your answer to every disagreement?" Eshonai asked, breaking her song. "It's hard to argue with your mouth full," Thude said.

That was the strangest thing that had happened to me since starting flight school, and I spent my mornings talking to a slug.