It’s Exhausting

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who talks so fast that it feels like they're trying to squeeze an entire novel into a single sentence? Or maybe you've had one of those moments when someone is telling you something important and, instead of allowing you time to think or respond, they just speed through their words like they're on a race track? You catch half of it, but by the time your brain registers what's going on, they’re already three topics ahead. It’s like they hope you didn’t hear them, or worse, that you’ll just nod and smile, pretending to understand. It’s exhausting.

I don’t know when exactly it became a thing, but somehow, somewhere along the line, people started thinking that talking fast meant they were more efficient, more impressive, or just better at “getting to the point.” The thing is this super-speed talk often just leaves the listener scrambling to process what was said.

We’re stuck in a game of “Did I hear that correctly?” while they’re off to the next point before we’ve even figured out the first one. It’s like an unexpected marathon, but our mind isn't trained for it.

Let's paint a picture: You’re at a party. You’ve just grabbed a drink, trying to settle into the vibe, and suddenly someone approaches you, their words coming at you like bullets. “OhmygoshIjustcamefromthegreatestcafeandthecoffee wastotallyamazingandthenIjustrushedovertohereandI’msotiredbutit’sgoingtobefunlet’schat!” And before you can say, “Wait, what?” they’re off, already talking about something else. You’re left standing there, still processing the speed of their arrival, trying to make sense of the explosion of words you just experienced. If you're not careful, you might start nodding automatically just to keep the flow going, all the while hoping they don't ask you anything that requires a real response. And of course, there's always the dreaded feeling that you missed something important.

It’s like people who think the faster they talk, the faster they’ll get to the end of the conversation, or maybe they’ll slip something past you that you won’t catch. Maybe it’s a self-defense mechanism, hoping that by talking fast, they’ll avoid any awkward pauses or questions that might make them feel vulnerable. Or maybe it’s because they think we’ll just nod along, assuming they know their stuff and don’t need to slow down.

You’ve probably experienced the "nodding-and-smiling" routine. Someone gives you a 10-minute lecture in two minutes, and your brain has no choice but to play catch-up. By the time you catch up, they’re already telling you about their weekend plans, and you’re left in this limbo of wondering if you should speak up and ask them to slow down or just keep nodding as if you know what they're talking about.

I get it. People are busy. We all have places to be, and we’re constantly running out of time. But there's a point where speed becomes a barrier to communication rather than a help. There’s no room for pauses, no time for questions, and definitely no time for real, meaningful conversation. It’s like trying to binge-watch a TV show with a remote that’s stuck on fast-forward.

The problem with fast-talking is that, even though we might nod along and give a polite “Mm-hmm,” we’re not truly engaging. The speaker might think they’ve communicated their point effectively, but in reality, the listener has only caught about half of what’s been said. And don’t even get me started on when they drop a line like, “Wait, you didn’t get that?” and you’re left wondering how to admit you were just trying to keep up with the speed of their words.

Communication is supposed to be a two-way street. It’s about understanding and connection, not just getting through the words as fast as possible. I’m all for getting to the point, but I also want to feel what you're saying. I want the pause where I can digest your ideas, ask questions, or maybe even just enjoy the silence for a moment before moving on.

So, to all the speed talkers out there, I have a simple request: take a breath. Let your words land. Let the conversation breathe. Because, honestly, I’d rather hear what you have to say at a pace that we both can enjoy—one that doesn’t make me feel like I’m in the middle of a verbal race I never signed up for.

There’s nothing worse than being left in the dust when someone’s talking so fast that all you can do is nod and hope for the best. And it’s just plain exhausting.