What Goes on in Your Head

Wait.... We're supposed to be thinking when we're talking?

Darn darn darn darn. I KNEW I was doing something wrong!

:D

Seriously. Unless I have an agenda (almost never in my personal life), I don't think. I open my mouth and words fall out.

Smile... Does she want to shake hands or is that too formal?
I won't, oops there goes her hand.
Shoot, she did want to shake hands, now I have insulted her!
Haven't I met her once before?
What did she say her name was? My mind was talking and I didn't hear it!
Is she looking at my double chin? Oh man, I've got to lose weight!

You really don't want to know! :p

I am, by far, the most random person in the world. I rehearse nothing. You are either going to love me or hate me so I rip that band aid off.

What should I type? I have something to contribute here - and it might even be funny. Stop. Be humble. Possibly humorous.

Sh%t. Is this what she wanted? Am I doing it wrong? Ok...calm. Breathe. In. Out. Repeat.

Rinse repeat. Sheesh, I'm not even funny up here and it's just the two of us.

oooh wow....I'm an extrovert (surprised?). I have no filter (surprised again?). So really? what goes on in my head....shoots out my mouth...

There have been times I have been able to hold back...and when I do? You really don't want to know what is zipping across those neurons and synapses!!

Don't stare in her eyes too long because that's creepy.

Don't look past her becuase that's rude.

Don't even quickly glance anywhere below the neckline because that's double creepy and possibly interpreted as judgemental. I don't want her to think I'm giving her the "once over."

Maybe there is something interesting on the sidewalk, but then I'm looking down and that seems timid.

Maybe there is something to look at in the sky, but then she'll think I'm rolling my eyes at her.

What did she say her name was? Damn! Pay attention.

I find myself spending more time after the conversation is over, thinking of brilliant things I could've said, wishing I hadn't said something I did, and generally regretting meeting someone new.

I do have a good fix these days, though, since most of my friends don't speak English. I can speak Spanish, but I have to actually think to talk...as in, work through my sentences word for words. I definitely don't have the skill to put in extras, etc, so we're down to bare bones!! I do know that one time I told a friend that I needed something for my swine. I meant to say my kitchen.

I can't carry on two conversations at once, one in my head and one out loud! Thats way too hard.

The only exception for me is if I am in an argument. Then I am thinking and formulating responses as the person is talking. My husband hates this because he thinks I am not listening fully. I am, My thoughts just go into a super quick processing mode when I am angry, and my responses come quickly. But I don't argue with people the first time I meet them, generally, so I just listen and respond accordingly.

Don't rush things. Theres nothing wrong with a long look in the eyes and some head nods to let the person know you are fully engaged but processing. While you re-rehearse what to say next :)

BTW, not surprised at all by ANY of the answers below! Ha!

When you meet someone (or talk to anyone) you need to be listening to them, not having a conversation with yourself in your head!
Just listen -- really listen to people and you'll have no trouble conversing.

Smile and find something simple that is obvious you have in common. Offer help. Be casual. Be kind. And always tell someone that it was nice chatting with them and you enjoyed it.

whatever goes on in my head usually comes out of my mouth. then the person has to decide if they like the brutal honesty or if they have to take a walk. i usually don't care if they choose to walk. i say it in my head, their loss.

I tell myself "shake hands firmly, look in the eye, repeat their name, and repeat it again as soon as you can". Literally. I used to be SOOO painfully shy and had to make myself not be and that was one of the ways. I also have a TERRIBLE time remembering names, so I always try to use someones name several times within the first few minutes of meeting them.

I used to do this. But the harder I tried to think ahead, the "behinder" I actually got in the conversation. Now I try to listen more closely, and take my time to answer, instead of giving a quick but inappropriate reply.

I'm a great listener, so I can always think of something to say based on how the conversation's going. What I get in the habit of doing, however, is staring at people's teeth as they're talking. I don't know why! But then my mind wanders, so I have to snap back to reality and focus on what they're saying.

I don't worry at all. I just say Hi, and get the conversation going. If they are boring, I move on quickly and excuse myself. If they sound interesting, I stay and ask questions about them, their life, family, work, etc. I don't think about what I am going to ask before. It just comes.....

If you just let your mind relax and you just let everything go, your brain will just flow and you will talk freely.

I'm the same way. Striking up conversation is not my strong suit, at all.

It's very awkward for me, depending on the environment we're in. I am NO GOOD at small talk and do not enjoy it. The stuff that I want to say is usually thought to be inappropriate, like, "How'd your parents come up with that name?" or "What brings you to this town?" or "I love Judge Judy, and I don't care who knows it."

I usually just sit back and observe, joining in where I want. I've given myself the freedom to feel little to no pressure in these situations, except for when I'm meeting my husband's co-workers or clients.