When will you stop talking? (5) Aug 28, 2009
I find it interesting that some people weren't born with the ability to know when the people they're talking to have lost interest in what they're saying.  They don't seem to notice the glazed-over eyes, the repeated glances at the watch or cell phone, or the gradual creep toward the door.  A simple rule of thumb is this:  If you've been talking for two minutes straight and you're not a teacher or professional speaker, you should shut up now.  A conversation involves two parties.  Otherwise it's called a speech. #psychology
One sentence or less Jun 19, 2008
I personally believe every topic should be explainable in one sentence or less.  For example,
Mechanical Engineering - The study and application of position, velocity, and acceleration to determine the forces and moments acting on an object.

Christianity - The religion that emphasizes personal salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as a means of accessing and drawing closer to the God of heaven and earth.

Rocket Science - The study of objects in flight assisted by an active propelling force.
See?  Simple.  Whenever I need to ask a long talker to explain something, I usually specify to do it in one sentence or less.  If they can't, they're not trying hard enough.  If they don't, I don't listen. #language
Rules of Civility Jan 16, 2007
George Washington was the man.  He's attributed with copying 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, based on earlier work by French Jesuits.  By further translating the old English into modern English, I found I have a lot of the same ideas as him. 
GW:  2nd - When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.
Me:  When walking out of a bathroom, don't continue to tuck in your shirt, button your pants, or further adjust yourself in any way.  This should all be done in a bathroom, behind closed doors. (#)

GW:  5th - If You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkerchief or Hand before your face and turn aside.
Me:  And what really kills me is when people not only yawn with no abandon, but when they vocalize it with some sort of audible groan or other noise. (#) Don't yawn in my face. (#)

GW:  12th - Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs roll not the Eyes lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by approaching too near him when you Speak.
Me:  (Well, actually Seinfeld) Close talker. (#)

GW:  22nd - Show not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.
Me:  (Though opposite) I take pleasure in observing other people's deserved misfortunes. (#)

GW:  35th - Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.
Me:  There are some people who just use too many words to say simple things. (#)

GW:  99th - Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after drinking, wipe your lips; breath not then or ever with too great a noise, for its uncivil.
Me:  I've been noticing that there is often a person in a group of people who's a loud breather ... a noise that sounds like breathing through a snorkel. (#)
If agreement with the first and arguably the best president in the history of our country is any indication of greatness, I expect to be a write-in candidate in the next presidential election. 

(via Neatorama) #psychology
Weird noise maker Sep 30, 2005
Along the same lines as long talker, loud breather, close talker, and man hands, I have yet another addition:  weird noise maker.  Many places I go, there's invariably a person sitting next to me who makes weird noises or does something strange.  There's a guy in my grad class who intermittently makes some sort of throaty, guttural noise.  I would feel bad for him, but I think it's intentional.  I mean I think he's doing it to clear his throat or breath through his ears or something.  But I don't really think he's clearing his throat because he doesn't make that "Sorry I make weird noises, I have an esophagus inflammation and I'll die if I don't make weird noises" face.  So I'm forced to stare inquisitively at him every time he does it, just in case I can somehow deduce what exactly he's doing. #psychology
Long talker Aug 25, 2005
You remember loud breather, close talker, man hands, etc.  I have a new one:  long talker.  There are some people who just use too many words to say simple things.  And the whole time they're talking, you're thinking, "Ok, I already know what you're gonna say.  But you're still going.  I could've been done hours ago.  I can't believe you're still talking.  Ok, you already said that part.  And that part too.  I wonder if you'll ever stop?  I wonder how long you would talk if there was nothing stopping you?  I wonder if you could ramble on for an entire 24 hours straight?  I bet you could.  Why don't I time you.  Ok that was 30 seconds.  Now 2 minutes.  Have you taken a breath yet?"  Maybe the person doesn't get out much and they haven't talked in days, so when their mouth opens, it just spouts out everything they've been thinking about but haven't said.  But somehow, I know that's not the case.  I know these people talk all the time, even if they just finished a 24-hour non-stop talking streak.  And of course my mind is very logical, and the schooling I've been through my entire life has taught me to pick up on things and to do it quickly.  So I figure out their entire train of thought within seconds and I fill in the blanks with all the things I see on the Simpsons.  Flying toasters.  And then someone else in the group says something like, "I didn't quite understand this one part.  So, you're saying..."  And then the long talker chimes back in and goes on endlessly.  When they finally take a breath, I usually try to say something to fill the silence and to move onto the next topic.  It's a good thing I'm relatively soft-spoken.  Otherwise, I would cause a lot of problems. #psychology
Loud breather Jul 5, 2005
Close talker.  Man hands.  Now there's a new one:  loud breather.  I've been noticing that there is often a person in a group of people who's a loud breather:  either they have allergies and their nose whistles, or they're just generally oblivious to the immensely loud sound exuding from their head.  I'm amazed that people like this can concentrate when they read and even get sleep at night.  I'm convinced that they have no idea what's going on because when I look at them, they don't notice anything except the fact that I'm looking at them.  They don't notice that they're distracting everyone else by making noises with their breathing patterns.  And it's not just a nose whistle.  We all get that.  I'm talking about a noise that sounds like breathing through a snorkel.  It's Darth Vader-ish.  And this becomes increasingly problematic in Christian groups when we spend time in prayer.  All you can hear is the quiet voice of a person praying, and the incessant wind from a loud breather. #psychology