If we recognize and understand the differences between us, we can take them into account, adjust to, and learn from each other's styles. The sociolinguistic approach . . . shows that many frictions arise because boys and girls grow up in what are essentially different cultures, so talk between women and men is cross-cultural communication (18).
This is a truly startling way to look at communications between men and women. Men and women believe that they are essentially the same in terms of the way they communicate, and that is the major obstacle to successful, meaningful and effective conversation.
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