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In my experience... Silence is used quite often and tends to make me feel very uncomfortable but I have a deep respect for someone who waits to talk rather than babble like I tend to do.
The Bible would suggest as a song would too, be slow to speak, slow to wrath but quick to hear and quick to care. (words probably horridly wrong)

Soloist wrote:In my experience... Silence is used quite often and tends to make me feel very uncomfortable but I have a deep respect for someone who waits to talk rather than babble like I tend to do.
The Bible would suggest as a song would too, be slow to speak, slow to wrath but quick to hear and quick to care. (words probably horridly wrong)

I do think it funny how my experience with people on here is some of us with high post counts talk less than those with low post counts when meeting in real.life. Sometimes I think I probably have people wondering if I am still there during phone conversations... We need talkers too.

But look out if you are not saved and ask a question or two...

My experience with Mennonites is silence is okay and I don't mind that. Other times silence meant I likely said something that steered conversation a direction they didn't want to go.

hillperson wrote:One thing about most Mennonites is they are German/Swiss background. The German part of them makes them very stoic for the most part.... If you keep that in mind it helps to communicate with them. Work is very important to them and a lot of them need help with being effective communicators

I've heard this a few times before. There has to be a point where people realize that German stoicism, regardless of how it may be romanticized in a subculture, isn't the norm, nor is it appreciated/ understood by the vast majority of Americans. In fact, I imagine that it could damage ones mission if he or she isn't conscious about it.

KingdomBuilder wrote:

hillperson wrote:One thing about most Mennonites is they are German/Swiss background. The German part of them makes them very stoic for the most part.... If you keep that in mind it helps to communicate with them. Work is very important to them and a lot of them need help with being effective communicators

I've heard this a few times before. There has to be a point where people realize that German stoicism, regardless of how it may be romanticized in a subculture, isn't the norm, nor is it appreciated/ understood by the vast majority of Americans. In fact, I imagine that it could damage ones mission if he or she isn't conscious about it.

No kidding. Likewise, when I’m working in Germany or in another non-North-American country, I have to adjust my communication norms.

It would do well to adjust one’s behaviour if one plans to do missions to North American people’s.

[quote="Josh"No kidding. Likewise, when I’m working in Germany or in another non-North-American country, I have to adjust my communication norms.

It would do well to adjust one’s behaviour if one plans to do missions to North American people’s.[/quote]

It's really odd for people who are so into applying seperation to be seen clinging to a communication style that is specific to an earthly kingdom.

KingdomBuilder wrote:

hillperson wrote:One thing about most Mennonites is they are German/Swiss background. The German part of them makes them very stoic for the most part.... If you keep that in mind it helps to communicate with them. Work is very important to them and a lot of them need help with being effective communicators

I've heard this a few times before. There has to be a point where people realize that German stoicism, regardless of how it may be romanticized in a subculture, isn't the norm, nor is it appreciated/ understood by the vast majority of Americans. In fact, I imagine that it could damage ones mission if he or she isn't conscious about it.

I find the contrast very interesting between Germanic ethnic Hutterites and Germanic ethnic Mennonites; the quiet stoicism you'd expect reflected within Hutterite circles due to similar backgrounds simply isn't there! They say what they think, and are very blunt and straightforward even to the point of socially perceived rudeness. It's very refreshing once you get used to it

Generally speaking, Mennonites and Amish act more Swiss and Hutterites act more Austrian.

It bothers me quite a bit how much being Dutch, Swiss, or Austrian gets confused with being a godly person.