Seeking Conversational Tips

[Guest guest]

Hi Folks,

I'm working through " Helping the Child Who Doesn't Fit In " and to that end, have

attended two functions in the last week with fairly well-educated, employed

people. Both have involved eating, drinking and mingling both seated and moving

about a room. This was not a " dating " or " singles " situation.

On both occasions, I did fine meeting and greeting, and also asking a question

in the formal meeting time. But things fell down one on one. On both occasions,

I initiated a conversation with one person (first time a man, second time, a

woman) and soon found myself listening to long monologues, but when it was time

for me to speak, I was cut off after about eight seconds, for another monologue.

Even though I lad listened carefully to the other person, what I was trying to

say was disregarded. I couldn't even finish, and believe me, I was not taking

that long!

I don't know what to think. Is it me? Did I send out some kind of signal? Or is

this fairly common to find " monologuists " in groups who hog the airspace?

In the conversation with the man, I know that there was another person standing

by listenng, and fairly soon after my " monologuist " began talking, he moved

away. Which surprised me a little because I found the story interesting. But

soob, that story turned into another and when I tried to interject, my sentence

was cut off. Finally I excused myself to the restroom and disengaged myself. So

I'm wondering, did the bystander get a signal early on that I didn't?

Anybody have any thoughts/guidelines for casual conversation out there? I long

for a " you talk/I talk conversation " but man, this is HARD.

Sincerely,

Away From Borderland