Chapter 1- Introducing Interpersonal Communication

 

Throughout the day, I am constantly interacting with others, in some shape or form. From eating dinner with my family at home, to talking with my coworkers about the schedule for next week, to interacting customers I need to assist at my job. Thankfully, I have an easy-going relationship with most people I meet, and I enjoy that. As a shy person, it keeps my mind at ease when things aren’t that serious However, there are times during the day where I have conversations and the things that people tell me cause a blank to form in my mind. To be more specific, I find myself at a loss for any meaningful things to say. When someone told me that they have a family member that has a difficult health condition, I was unable to think of anything to say that might have a positive effect on them and let them know I care. The thing that catches me is my fear that I will say something offensive unintentionally. I guess my problem is that I lack interpersonal communication competence. Essentially, I am unsure of the things I should say or verbalize in a specific situation (ch. 1, pg. 16). However, this is something that can be easily fixed. I have people around that likely won’t mind giving me pointers about the things I should do and say if I ever find myself in that type of situation. In that regard, I’m honestly pretty lucky, but I won’t always have people I know around me. It is with great importance that I take the time now to learn how be competent when talking to others.