Longer pauses during a conversation may cause surprise and anxiety in some people. After all, such silences aren’t normal – something disturbing is going on here. On the other hand, it’s just a pause, a moment of silence to think. It’s not because one thinks too slowly, but because one thinks deeply and wants to give the best possible answer.
People interpret situations according to patterns they know – stereotypes, personal experiences and preferences. When something doesn’t fit a certain pattern, we start interpreting the event automatically. Our intuition often leads us astray. Knowing what is really being said and understanding the whole context is extremely valuable and makes it much easier to understand the interlocutor and tune in to him.
