by JH 8 Replies latest jw friends
I remember going door to door, and we knew what we were going to say even before the person opened the door.
If a person had their own idea about God or religion, we just didn't listen, and kept on preaching what we were taught, because there is only one truth, and we had it. Right...
Today, I feel that I'm a better listener because I stop and listen to other people's point of view.
The JW's didn't teach us how to "listen" to people, but rather how to manipulate people, and that thanks to the kingdom ministry school.
I listened, especially to the nice Scottish Protestant who said "Don't let them be telling you what to believe. Believe what you want to believe." I remember him, he could've been described as a conservative and when he learned that we were at the door about religion, he went back inside and came out with a huge KJV bible.
I can do both at the same time....
The WTS at least tells them to listen. But the point is they are not taught to be conversational.. Most sisters script their talks, telling the other sister how to respond....not letting her respond naturally based on how the other sister develops her points. Brothers are taught to give mini-public talks where there is never any back and forth conversing with the audience. Am I surprised that JWs don't know how to listen to the homeowner?
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km 8/02 p. 8 Be a Communicator! ***When we invite our listeners to express themselves and we listen with interest to their comments, they sense that we care about them. So when your listeners speak, do not be in a hurry to revert to your prepared presentation.
I am a better talker than listener. I realize that being a good listener is important especially in close relationships, so I'm consciously trying to improve my listening skills.
Dragonlady76
On the field service I wasn't a very good listener. As long as they took the mags I couldn't care less what they were on about.
Other than that I would say I'm a good listener as I think you never learn anything by just broadcasting what you think but by taking in other points of view.
Are you a better talker or listener?
Huh? What? Did you say something?
According to my Myers-Briggs profile I am a better listener. And I am also a better reader: look at my number of JWD-posts...
I remember that a common phrase in the km was: [Allow for response] :-)
