Reply #26: Well then you're disinterested. Not a crime. And you are a poblem solver.

[MichiganVote]

Your thinking reflects a need for action. So what action could you take that would both keep your mind busy and allow you to offer the necessary social cues to another that indicate your regard for them?

There are two things that come to my mind. The first is easy--ask questions. Listening is an active sport and the more you do it, actively do it, the better you get. The second thing to do is harder and that is to control your breathing. Slow, deep breaths. Really concentrate on both. These are skills. Believe it or not, no one is born a better listener, its a learned skill.

You may want to also become more active by sharing your own activities or whatever is relevant to the conversation. If you're not a person who initiates conversation, try more of that.

Yes you may be more self absorbed than others you compare yourself to, but in reality, we're all pretty self absorbed. Conversation is a skill. Its a very good skill, however, and it improves with practice. Even if the person you are conversing with is boring as hell.

Good luck and thank you for the conversation. :)