Fast talk

Not too long ago, I was in the throes of a good idea. You know how that feels. I was experiencing that wonderful feeling of being inspired, alive, excited, purposeful, “on your mark, get set, go”, ready to take on the project and happy to describe it to anyone who would listen. Then, a cold splash of water comes from your audience or companions as they quietly ask:

How many cups of coffee have you had?  You pause, hmm, three, maybe four………..

I guess my brand of “fast talk” is more palatable than my landlords version.  In the last month, I discovered to my displeasure that the plumbing system in the house was “jimmy rigged”. I had some blockages and when the source was uncovered ( literally), it was disturbing. Of course, he couldn’t come look and suggested I just call a plumber and send the bill to him. I almost did that, but then I thought more about his blase’ attitude. The kicker was, “I never knew about that”. Ten years and a new floor over this issue and he didn’t “know”?Repeatedly, as more faulty aspects came to light, he disclaimed knowledge and glossed over it. In fact, he launched a diversionary tactic focusing on reducing my rent in return for a longer lease. In the meantime, he offered nothing but an apology for the inconvenience I was experiencing due to the disaster under the house. You know the personality- anything that they don’t want to face- they choose some “fast talk”. It’s really amazing. You can’t pin them down. They have an answer, usually full of holes that won’t hold water and you can’t believe, but they repeat it vigilantly. Fast talkers of this type are a mystery to me. How do they reconcile the words with the reality? If we don’t have our integrity, what do we have?

Maybe, I am thinking of “pulling a fast one”. Actually talking fast might not be the issue. This guy is used to dealing in high finance and in boardrooms. He knows how to “spin it” and get his way. If you think about it, salesmen have a knack for talking us into things. Obviously, they think fast on their feet.

If I am honest, I find the slow talkers torturous. Let’s say, you ask a question. Where should we put this file? Pause….appearance of thinking….one word at a time….pauses between…well enunciated…clear….dragging on….delay…finally…the real message….is received and the final response is: A list of places. Superficial and focused on the words, struggling to answer a simple question with words they choose one by one. I must say, if I had to choose between the two- I would prefer a fast talker.

Do fast talkers come from certain regions? Share personalities? I looked up the term “fast talker” and what do you know? There has been some research on them.

Research in 1967 by Miller and colleagues suggested people were most persuaded when the message was delivered at a fully-caffeinated 195 words per minute rather than at a decaffeinated 102 words per minute.

At 195 words per minute, about the fastest that people speak in normal conversation, the message became more credible to those listening, and therefore more persuasive. Talking fast seemed to signal confidence, intelligence, objectivity and superior knowledge. Going at about 100 words per minute, the usual lower limit of normal conversation, was associated with all the reverse attributes.

So it seems we might have reason to fear the fast talkers if we don’t like their message because their silver tongue is delivering facts faster than we can process and react. If on the other hand we agree with their message, we would prefer they slow down so we can embrace and enjoy the feeling of having our opinion validated.

Did I mention that there is value to not talking- fast or slow. It is natural for me to talk at a rapid clip, although I am a southerner. It is my nature. I am well spoken, but shy. I don’t chit chat. I don’t segue well. In fact, I find it exhausting to have to think that hard about how to deliver messages. It is such a pleasure to find a like minded person who can jump from one thing to another with alacrity. I can change topics with the wind. I have an opinion on most things and if I don’t, I want to listen and learn until I can develop one. So, its not a lack of verbal skills that causes me to zip my lip. There are a couple of settings that seal them.

Sailing leaves me speechless. It is soothing, when done slowly and riveting when done fast. No words are indicated. You can’t hear them anyway. If you do, they interrupt the sounds of the sails, breeze moving you along, water slapping against the hull or washing behind in the wake. It is a sensory delight that leaves “talking” on the shore.

Maybe, just a few single words of courtesy- like greetings or well wishes- to boats and their occupants- as they pass by. The water carries sound. I heard the fishermen say, “That’s a nice looking sailboat” and then they chatted as they put their crab pots down. We waved and spoke. Enough said.

Well, music is not really talking- or is it? Listen to Super Nova  I get to hear him in concert and can’t wait. Like the horses and child-like visuals in his video! Forgot how much I liked his other song Trouble . He has a nice rhythm to his voice! Not too fast, not too slow- just right like Goldilocks would say!