Duped: We Value Communication
People who genuinely value authentic, transparent communication can be duped into thinking someone also values communication.
For those of us who are eager to encounter someone who takes the time to converse beyond small talk, we can be fooled when the other person
seems to go along with all of your written and verbal communications
appears to be listening & learning
appears to be enjoying the dialogs about meaningful topics
tells you they appreciate your honesty & candor
expresses comfort in being able to talk to you about anything
But in hindsight, what we observe on the above list is obviously not evidence of someone who values communication.
simply enjoy getting attention
and even enjoy the stimuli without hearing a word you’ve said
be getting ideas for tactics to get you to think they are on the same page as you
have only superficial relationships, so you’re just an interesting novelty to them
be gathering data to use to converse & bond with other people
be bored
you’re entertaining them & helping them pass the time
even seeing your interactions as a power trip or a game
be lonely
will keep company anyone who gives them the time of day
be using you to have more data to add to their imagination (grandiose daydreaming & fantasy)
Yet again, being quiet and observing will help you know what the other person is really about.
See what they actually
bring to discussions
Are they only asking questions to get you to talk & expose more of yourself?
initiate & are motivated by
do if you don’t reach out to them first
invest in pertaining to interaction with others
Is communication, to them, strictly for entertainment & getting attention & nothing to do with content?
Check out these other articles in this ‘Duped in a Relationship’ series: