Epictetus: In company, do not dwell too often or at…

Conversation becomes generous when it is not a stage. We all enjoy making our lives coherent through stories, especially stories in which we overcame something or were proven right. But people around us usually want to be met, not recruited as an audience. Before launching into your latest work problem, travel memory, or old victory, make room for a question. Ask someone how they are managing, and stay with the answer long enough to hear it. If you do share a story, tell it briefly and for a purpose: to encourage, clarify, or connect. Today, practice leaving a little silence after another person speaks. The pause may feel awkward at first, but it often invites a more honest exchange than a polished performance.