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Idle chatter.

BodhgayaBodhgaya
edited December 2010 in Buddhism Basics
For those that are troubled or confused of when to talk, because you are 'afraid' or whatever else of breaking a precept, or something, couldn't you just follow 'do not speak, unless you are spoken to?'

It would be rude to ignore someone, wouldn't you say?

Now, if it was malicious, you could try to redirect it, or change the topic.

Does this seem like a problem to most or any of you?
If so, what do you do?


Metta.

Comments

  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    edited December 2010
    It's always important to be polite. If one is "stuck" in a situation in which there is idle chatter, it's ok to just be there and be polite or try to be friendly or try to redirect- but mostly it's important to be polite.

    Sometimes going along with "idle chatter" is actually a compassionate thing to do. If the other person seems like someone who doesn't get out much or doesn't have much social or interpersonal interaction, it's compassionate to engage in "light" conversation.

    If the idle chatter is unbearable, then if possible one could politely absent oneself from the situation.

    Strictly speaking, not engaging in idle chatter is a monastic precept, but trying to emulate monastic precepts can often be a good thing to do.

    And you're right that it would be rude to ignore someone. When in doubt, do the compassionate thing. And sometimes it's just really interesting to listen to people that one wouldn't normally interact with, just to get a glimpse of their world. And it usually makes people feel better to be listened to.
  • BodhgayaBodhgaya
    edited December 2010
    SherabDorje wrote: »
    It's always important to be polite. If one is "stuck" in a situation in which there is idle chatter, it's ok to just be there and be polite or try to be friendly or try to redirect- but mostly it's important to be polite.

    Sometimes going along with "idle chatter" is actually a compassionate thing to do. If the other person seems like someone who doesn't get out much or doesn't have much social or interpersonal interaction, it's compassionate to engage in "light" conversation.

    If the idle chatter is unbearable, then if possible one could politely absent oneself from the situation.

    Strictly speaking, not engaging in idle chatter is a monastic precept, but trying to emulate monastic precepts can often be a good thing to do.

    And you're right that it would be rude to ignore someone. When in doubt, do the compassionate thing. And sometimes it's just really interesting to listen to people that one wouldn't normally interact with, just to get a glimpse of their world. And it usually makes people feel better to be listened to.


    I agree! I usually get caught up in it, but I'm making headway with not. I find I can easily end it if it goes in a downward direction.
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