Fresh Baked Bread

I've been thinking about speech patterns we use casually, and how these vary from one individual to another, affected by our personal experiences, plus the age periods and cultures we grew up in. Traditions, manners, and other influences also play a part. In fact, there are actually rather a mess of influences once you start thinking about it. I'm surprised that we can communicate effectively at all sometimes. Or can we?

People may get their feelings hurt unintentionally by something that is said or not said. Phrases are used to validate or ask for validation; disappointments or embarrassment result by tone of voice or timing. People often leave a social situation feeling guilty, insulted or self-conscious, but perhaps it is word usage that is the culprit.

This blog is about these kinds of things. I present my thinking as "food for thought" and encourage comments.

Today's "Food" is a story of Fresh Baked Bread: Three people sit around a table and a 4th removes fresh baked bread from the oven, slices it, and places it on the table with butter. Do they need to say anything? [indirectly asking for a compliment?] Does anyone need to ask if they can have a slice? Does anyone really need to say Thank you or You're welcome? Aren't all these things obvious? 

Words that might have a use are "Wow! What is that flavor? I've never tasted bread like this before."

This is a simple example, but I invite you to notice how many unnecessary words we use, and to examine the intention behind our words. Authenticity in communication is not speaking just to speak, but because there is actually something to say. Chew on that.