The art of conversation

Late Night Show Hosts begin the show with a monologue. Most of us never really think about it. Johnny Carson, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers all do it. But what is a monologue and how does it differ from a dialogue or conversation? Many of us may be in a group talking to the others, but what we're really having are several competing monologues at once! One person speaks and the others nod their heads in false agreement waiting for the person to pause so they can interject their thought. This continues for several minutes until one of the people glances at their wristwatch and excuses themselves. Is this rhetorical dance true conversation? True conversation involves two or more sharing thoughts and ideas. I learned the art of conversation several years ago during marriage counseling. The counseling didn't work, not because the principle was faulty, but because the parties were tainted. What is real conversation? Conversation is all about taking turns speaking. You say something. The other person summarizes what you said. You agree or disagree. Then they make a statement or ask a question. It sounds monotonous, but it's beautiful! Like a dance. Let your partner lead sometime.