The 5 types of conversation: which one do you practice the most?

There are different types of conversation and some of them are more rewarding than others. Exchanging words with someone often leaves nothing more than the pale satisfaction of a superfluous and occasional contact. Other times, this encounter with the other through words renews us and gives us much more than the memory of a good time.

It is clear that Diverse situations and connections also generate different types of conversations. Having a routine meeting with a co-worker mid-morning is not the same as sitting with an old friend for coffee. Nor is a family conversation the same as the one we can have with the doctor or psychologist.

There would be a thousand ways to classify the types of conversation. However, a simple way to do this is based on the topics being covered. This aspect makes a big difference between one communication and another. From that point of view, we find five types, as we will see below.

1. About things

This is one of the most common types of conversation. It is the one that is maintained on a daily basis with any person one encounters.. The topic to be discussed is traffic, weather, pollution or similar issues.

The role that these types of conversations play is to promote or establish social contact with the people around us. It is obvious that they do not make a profound contribution, but they are valid to the extent that they contribute to building a basic bond between two or more people.

2. About others

This is one of the types of conversations that occur between two people who know each other and have a certain level of trust in each other. You can talk about others in two different ways, in principle. There may be a common interest in someone who is not present, and that this can be positive or negative.

Likewise, sometimes we talk about other people who we do not know directly, such as a singer, a writer, a celebrity, etc. This kind of conversation does not usually lead to strengthening the bond. between two persons. Perhaps complicity does increase or they simply pass the time, but no more than that.

3. About ideas

This is one of the types of conversation that usually lends itself to incommunication.. In most cases, two monologues are shared, since each of those involved wants to make known what he thinks and give relevance to his ideas, but little listens to those of the others.

Sometimes it is possible to have a fruitful exchange of opinions, but it is not frequent. The recording of this type of conversation is basically mental and very often contributes to marking points of contrast, rather than meeting spaces. The ego is usually very present in this kind of communication.

4. About feelings

In this case, a much greater degree of intimacy is required than in other types of conversations. You only talk about feelings with someone you trust enough and with whom you have already established an important bond. As a rule, this type of conversation is very rewarding..

Talking about what you feel and feeling that someone is listening to you provides great satisfaction. Many times that is all it takes to get over a bad time or feel better. This is what we commonly call “letting off steam.” and, as the name implies, it is like receiving a breath of oxygen when it is scarce.

5. Share feelings

This is the most intimate level you can reach in a conversation.. Here there is not only the opportunity to express what one feels, but there is also interest in listening to others and understanding them. It is a two-way exercise that is typical of the deepest and healthiest relationships.

Long-lasting, solid relationships of any kind are built from these kinds of conversations.. These not only provide great satisfaction, but they also allow you to feel that you are not alone and that what you say, think and feel has validity.

Each of the types of conversation has its reason for being and contributes something. The ideal is that each person can interact on all these levels with others. In particular, it is important to value and take care of those bonds that allow you to have deep and sincere conversations that never leave you empty.

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