An important component of being an adult is knowing how to say what you feel and think promptly and to whom it corresponds.
Last update: 29 March, 2022
In The Little Prince, the beautiful work of Antoine de Saint Exupery, the protagonist says that "language is a source of misunderstanding". It refers to the difficulty of human beings to express in words what we really feel or think. In other words, at communication traps.
Whenever we have to express ourselves in words, we assume that we are clear. In reality, however, it can be much more difficult than we think.
Sometimes we decide to hint, believing that others will understand the rest. It may also happen that the listener understands what we say in his own way, even if we express ourselves clearly.
Communication is more than just words and it is easy to fall into misunderstanding. We present some situations in which communication is ineffective.
3 communication pitfalls
Silence as a substitute for screaming
It is a mechanism we use when anger or resentment appears. Instead of clearly stating what bothers us, we opt for silence severe and harsh.
If they ask us "What's wrong?", With the utmost calm we answer "Nothing", even if it is evident that this is not the case.
This type of communication is ineffective. We resort to it when we take it for granted that the other person must understand for themselves that they have done something that has offended us.
Maybe she forgot to tell us something or didn't realize we needed her to be more loving or she missed something that was important to us.
The truth is that staying silent never leads to understanding. Dialogue is the only viable option for dealing with these situations.
It is better to say clearly and serenely what we do not like. Only in this way can a healthy and mature communication be established with others.
Messages implied
Sometimes we choose to throw "digs", instead of saying something directly. It is a form of communication that does not contribute in any way to improving the relationship with others.
If we have something to say, let's say it once and for all. And if that's not important enough, forget it.
But that saying without saying and keeping silent without keeping silent creates a heavy atmosphere and induces others to interpret the words in various ways.
And so easy to fall into confusion and prolong disagreements or conflicts which could be solved if we decide to speak.
Turns around among the communication traps
It often happens that instead of going to the heart of the matter, we turn around and end up not saying what we want to express.
This occurs when, for example, we are angry with our partner for paying too much attention to another person over dinner.
However, we do not directly express annoyance for fear of being labeled "jealous" or "possessive". Then we express our anger by criticizing the physical appearance, clutter, or any other area within reach of the partner.
In this, as in the other cases, not saying things clearly leads to errors in the perception of the other and is essentially useless.
Conclusions
An important component of being an adult is one's own knowing how to say what you feel and think promptly and to whom it corresponds. Otherwise, we will not be able to establish healthy and mature relationships with others.
Image courtesy of loungerie
