Silence isn’t empty in Indian communication — it’s full of meaning. When someone responds to your proposal with quiet rather than enthusiasm, they’re probably signaling reservations they don’t want to voice directly. When a topic gets changed or avoided, that avoidance is the communication.
The person who speaks sparingly but carefully often carries more weight than someone who talks constantly. Learn to read silence: What isn’t being said? What topics trigger quiet?
What might someone be thinking but not stating? Also learn to use silence appropriately yourself. You don’t need to fill every pause. Sometimes sitting with a moment of quiet shows respect, gives space for thought, or communicates that you’ve understood something that doesn’t require verbal acknowledgment. Resist the urge to interpret silence as absence; it’s often the most important communication happening.
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