I have been quiet my entire life. I don't like talking to strangers unless its absolutely necessary, I hate talking on the phone, and don't even get me started on answering questions in class. I go through my daily life without talking much, but that doesn't mean I don't have a lot to say. I actually have a brain filled with creative ideas, funny jokes and tons of information, just like anyone else. Just because I don't share every thought that pops into my head doesn't mean they're less valuable.
I don't raise my hand and answer questions in your class, but that doesn't mean I'm not smart. Professors dock points when people don't participate in class. By this, they mean raise your hand and answer my questions. This is so unfair for so many reasons. People learn differently. Just because they don't volunteer to speak in front of the class doesn't mean they don't know the answer. Maybe they're scared to talk in front of people, maybe it makes them uncomfortable or maybe they really don't know and want to hear others' input.
I grew up saying things quietly to my friends who would shout them and take the ideas for themselves. Of course, it hurt a little, but it taught me a lot about my friends who did this and everyone else around us. Sometimes observing people's reactions to something is more telling than speaking to them. They do say "actions speak louder than words" for a reason.
Some people don't realize how much you learn when you're quiet or how much you notice. If people took a day and talked less, they would realize how nice it is to listen instead of talking for once—to hear and evaluate others point of views of things you are passionate about, to learn what others are passionate about, to find out that the kid who seems to struggle in the class has a learning disability. Not everything is as it seems, but by being quiet for a few minutes and just observing and listening, you can stop judging people and actually get to know them.
So try spending a day like me; stop talking so much so that you can hear more, learn more and enjoy moments more.
