Published: November 12, 2009 04:23 pm      

AROUND THE TOWN: Communication different between genders

I have read numerous books on the subject of gender differences. One of my favorites is Dr. John Gray's "Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus." I never ceased to be amazed, and thankfully so, at the inherent traits that are, for lack of another explanation, gender related.

Are those gender differences a result of nature or nurture? Or, in other words, are girls and boys born with these differences or are they created by their environment? Or are the trait differences a combination of both genetics and environment? Regardless of their origins, there are some definitive differences between the male and female genders personality wise and communication is just one of the more obvious ways.

For example, I often pick up my five-year-old nephew from daycare on Friday afternoons. Our dialogue, although incredibly interesting, rarely consists of anything about his day. Once he has told me whether he was in time out, he immediately wants to know if we are going to the pet store, ice cream store, etc. If I ask him how his day was, his pat answer is "good" or "fine." That's it. No more. He gives no details, just a simple "fine" or "good." If I want to know more I usually have to ask very explicit questions... otherwise, he isn't sharing.

My niece, on the other hand, is the polar opposite. Our conversations usually begin with me asking her a question regarding her day and ends with me chock-full of details of life in the fourth grade at Homestead Elementary. She tells me who likes whom, what happened on the playground, who is having a birthday, who got a new pet, how many AR points she has, whether she has homework, soccer practice or a soccer game. This information is spewed with very little prompting.

I notice the same things in the students that come to the TAD Center after school. A lot of the girls will stop by my office and tell me about their days with little or no prompting. If I ask the boys I can pretty much expect an answer that includes, and may be limited to, the words "fine," "good" or "OK." Not going to get a lot more information than that from most of them.

Now, if you want to get the boys talking, I suggest you mention the following word: "ball." You don't have to say "football," "baseball" or "basketball." The guys immediately know what ball season it is and begin uttering words such as "total yards rushing," "grand slam" and "three-pointers." The answers, depending of course on which season, or seasons, it is, if they happen to overlap.

Amazing, isn't it? One four-letter word and the guys are spouting statistics that would make a rocket scientist proud. But asking about their day? Expect another four-letter word... and nothing more. Go figure.

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Contestants are wanted for a fun-filled show at Fairfield Glade. The Fairfield Glade Ladies Club will present "American Idle" Monday night at the Glade Conference Center. Organizers say this will be an evening of intrigue, music, dinner and a "twist or two" as a "Glade Idle" is crowned. Action begins at 5 p.m. and lasts until 8:45. Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased at Audiology Associates in the Village Green Mall or either of the First National Bank locations. If you need or want more information, call 456-4680 or 456-1225.

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The University of Tennessee Vols go for win number six this weekend as they travel to Oxford to take on Ole Miss in SEC action. Game time is 11 a.m. CST.

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You can get an early start on Thanksgiving and stop smoking for a day with the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout next Thursday. All four Subway locations in Crossville are offering their turkey subs at half price to remind smokers it is a good day to stop "cold turkey." If you need tips to help you quit smoking, call the quit line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or the Tennessee Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.