Chatterbox

Some smart wit had rightly labeled us Indians as a race that suffers verbal diarrhea. Whether its a joy or a sorrow, we have to express ourselves, no matter what. Crib, rant, flaunt, gossip to our heart's content.Few are like me; a minority who would rather listen and observe quietly. Observing such wide variety of talkers is as interesting as traveling and photography :) After much observation and analysis, I have categorized these chatterboxes to distinct varieties.

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The I, Me, Myself

Its not difficult to find such folks. They do not worry about common interest, being courteous, time, place, situation, these types are thoroughly immersed in their self happily under the assumption that their affairs and adventures are interesting to all as they are to them. They do listen once in a while, but they would sure have a counter reminiscences for every story uttered by you; where they would sprinkle generous amount of glory

The Crushers

The insult throwers. They have that sad pleasure in pulling down everyone. No one appeals to them and nothing could satisfy them. They find faults at the drop of the hat. Their words are laced with poison and they can make a kill with their taunting cruel words. Not one to listen, they can chatter incessantly when all we could hear is abuse and profanity. 

The Road-rollers

They never ever stop, not for catching a breathe, not for interjections, not for questions. Other person's opinion? Whats that? Nothing could dither them, no display of boredom, no yawns or smirks, not even a frown. Try interrupting them, one can be sure of getting trampled just as a road-roller.

The Tube-light brigade

Subject of mockery and ridicule; but rather likable.  They take some time to understand what others are talking about, they need little more time to warm up; when they understand they positively glow bright. They get into the jive and throw in their own accounts but by then others have moved on; and they grapple again!

The Anecdoters

The darling of the lots, revered and respected. These types have exclusive fan clubs and others wait to hear them. The above types often fancy themselves to be of this kind. But the genuine ones can be made out; their vast knowledge, their repertoire of interesting and enriching experiences, the story weaving capability such that it enchants the listener and thus increasing the appetite of the listener wanting for more. These coupled with requisite voice, modulation and expressions so that there is no boredom and monotony. What sets them apart is their knack of shifting gears once they get the slightest hints of boredom.

These are the real conversationalists. What is it that sets them apart from talkers? Is it their talent to make the listener feel important? Or is it their versatility? Or their knack of gauging the listener's interest? Or the combination of all these along with that unknown X-factor? Maybe, that is why most of us are just talkers but not good conversationalists.

So which category do you fall under?