Week 1: Discussion

1.      How do you usually start a conversation?

I usually start a conversation by asking something about the situation. Then I turn my focus toward the person, and I maintain eye contact with him/her without being too intense. I make them feel like their thoughts are important. If they begin to talk about a subject, I ask more questions about it instead of talking about something that I want to talk about. Also, I use the person's name once or twice after I know it.

 

2.      Give a specific problem that you encountered during a conversation and how did you address it?

My friend and I argued a current political issue that happening here in the Philippines. As our conversation deepens, he cannot say any arguments that can prove his stand so he ended up trash-talking or saying hurtful words to me. In this case, I think that he was so overwhelmed that his emotions dictated his response also. His insult to me doesn't invalidate or refute my claim or argument, it just puts him down. So I remain calm and silent in the rest of the conversation, then he realized that he was wrong and he asks an apology for what he said before.

 

3.      Recall an instance where you engaged in a conversation with a topic that you are not comfortable with? What is the topic and how did you manage it?

One year ago, my nine-year-old younger sister asked my pregnant aunt, 'How did the baby get inside your tummy?’ and ‘How is the baby going to get out?’. I responded by asking: "What do you think?"  because I want to know what my younger sister is thinking. Then I answered it in a healthy open conversation, and I also provided some basic information. I told her that babies are made when two adults love each other so much that they're able to create a baby inside the mommy. Then the baby grows inside the mother's womb, and the baby comes out when ready.