You just don't understand : [electronic resource] women and men in conversation / Deborah Tannen.

"June 1991"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [310]-319) and index.

"A chatty, earnest and endearing book that promises here-and-now rewards for taking the trouble to listen more carefully to what others are saying--and to be more sensitive to what others are hearing." LOS ANGELES TIMES Discover how men and women can interpret the same conversation differently, even when there is no apparent misunderstanding. Discover why sinscere attempts to communicate are so often confounded, and how we can prevent or relieve some of the frustration. This fascinating, helpful, and controversial book--on the NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller list for two years!--explores, in depth the differing style men and women articulate, and how to work through it and get to the heart of the matter. Includes information on African Americans, arguing, authority, body language, childrens interaction, conversational styles (Antiguan, Greek, Italian, Jewish, Malgasy, New England, New York Jewish, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Tenejapa, Thai), cross cultural communication, fighting, framing, friendship, gossip, Greece, indirectness, interruption, stereotypes of Jews, jokes, metamessages, professors, public speaking, rapport talk, report talk, secrets, silence, storytelling, etc.

1. Different words, different worlds -- 2. Asymmetries : women and men talking at cross-purposes -- 3. "Put down that paper and talk to me!" : rapport-talk and report-talk -- 4. Gossip -- 5. "I'll explain it to you" : lecturing and listening -- 6. Community and contest : styles in conflict -- 7. Who's interrupting? : issues of dominance and control -- 8. Damned if you do -- 9. "Look at me when I'm talking to you!" : cross talk across the ages -- 10. Living with asymmetry : opening lines of communication.