Part I    Get Started

Section A     Discussion

Discuss and answer the following questions.

1.    Do you think there are differences in how men and women talk? If yes, what are some of the differences you have noticed?

2.    Do you find it easier or more difficult to communicate with people of the opposite sex? Why?

3.    Why do you think men and women differ from one another intheir way of communication?

4.    Do you think that men and women use computers and other electronic devices (such as mobile phones) for different purposes?

               Part I    Get Started

Section B Quotes

Study the following quotes about gender differences and communication. Do you agree with each of them? Give reasons to support your view.

1.     Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invariably they are both disappointed.

— Albert Einstein

2.     Women need to feel loved and men need to feel needed.

                                                        — Rita Mae Brown

3.      A man does what he can; a woman does what a man cannot.

     — Isabel Allende

Section B Quotes

Study the following quotes about gender differences and communication. Do you agree with each of them? Give reasons to support your view.

1.     Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invariably they are both disappointed.

                                                       — Albert Einstein

Interpretation:

Einstein emphasizes the stereotypical differences in men’s and women’s expectations for each other in marriage. While men expect that women will never change, especially in appearance, women expect that men will change for the better, probably in the belief that they will benefit from the love of a good woman. In the end, both men and women will be disappointed as their expectations can never be met.

2.     Women need to feel loved and men need to feel needed.

                                                        — Rita Mae Brown

Interpretation:

Brown emphasizes the different needs of men and women. To women, being loved and experiencing that love are important. To men, being of use or value to other people or to society is of great importance. In other words, women focus more on emotions and feelings whereas men focus more on utility.

3.      A man does what he can; a woman does what a man cannot.

                                                         — Isabel Allende

Interpretation:

This remark is made by the heroine of one of Allende’s novels in speaking of the subtlety of women like herself in getting men to do what they want. As such it implies that women’s role is not at all smaller than men’s.