Communication style is different between women and men for many reasons, such as educational background, age, and culture. However, there are some common patterns evident for both genders.
- Women speak and listen faster than men. Women in a group can even all talk at the same time and make it work!
- Women speak in a softer voice and use pitch and inflection to emphasize points. Men speak in a louder voice and use volume to emphasize a point.
- Women sound more emotional in normal conversation because they normally use 5 tones. Men sound more monotonous when speaking because they normally use only 3 tones.
- Women stick to one topic for a long time until all present have added their comments and feelings on that subject before moving to the next subject. Men want to express their own opinion and not hear the opinion of others. Men want to have the final word, especially with women.
- In decision making, women seek the input of all the other women present and make decisions based on the consensus of all present. Men try to make the final ruling, no matter what others think.
- In decision making, women prefer a group decision. Men want to show their high status by making their own decisions without input from others.
- Women reveal their feelings, private lives and relationships easily. Men hardly ever do! That would show their weaknesses and lower their status as a dominate male (in their mind).
- Men don't spend as much time and interest on anything not physical, especially abstract concepts dealing with "feelings" and emotions.
- Women want to talk about their feelings to improve their relationship with the listener. Men talk to emphasize their high status and dominance to all present.
- Women want to discuss and explore all aspects of a topic and spend more time on it than men like.
- Women try to strengthen relationships with others by discussing their problems. Women ask more questions about what others think.
- Women make indirect accusations, i.e. "Why do you often do that?" Men make direct accusations, i.e. "You always do that!"
- Women like to relate but men rather debate.
- Women interrupt all others less and allow others to interrupt them. Men interrupt others more and allow fewer interruptions, especially from women.
- Women are more cooperative when talking. Men are more competitive with talk and try to raise their status and establish dominance.
- Women show concern and try to establish empathy and support for others. Men try to fix things and give advice to others.
- Men are opinionated and want to resolve problems quickly, often not studying the situation.
- Men try to be an authority on everything and therefore ask fewer questions.
