The Art of Listening

I had a conversation with an acquaintance the other day about something I (randomly) had experience in. It ended up being more of a monologue than a real discussion, since she wasn’t really interested in listening. Here’s what happened: she made some false claims about investing, so I tried to correct her with facts (she insisted that we didn’t mean anything different!). I tried to explain the importance of doing research before taking risks, but she shrugged it off, saying she’d look into it later because the potential profit would be HUGE.

I shared my own experience with the risks afterward, but she kept spreading misinformation, starting every sentence with “I heard.” At that point, I could only stare blankly, my frown deepening. I'm no expert or anything, but even I knew she was completely wrong.

Honestly, it bugged me quite a bit that she thought it was unimportant. If someone were giving me advice about something I was new to, I would have listened very carefully (and taken notes, at least mentally). The internet may provide plenty of free-to-access information, but firsthand experiences are undeniably more valuable.

Just like my mom always says, "You can't expect everyone to act like you." I felt that. While it may seem easy, listening can be a challenge in itself. No matter how aware I may sound now, I, too, have my own share of blunders. One such instance occurred more than a decade ago when I was about to undergo a piano test. My parents were told that the examiner would be a native speaker. Since my English conversational skills were limited back then, my dad tried to give me advice. I didn’t listen. In my head, conversing with a native speaker would be easy.

As expected, the test didn't go very smoothly. I was fully prepared for the music portion, but keeping up with the examiner's speaking pace was a struggle. I cried afterward because the exam was expensive, and I thought I had failed. It was a defining moment. I learned what listening truly is: openness, humility, and understanding.

I didn't fully understand it back then, but comprehension has grown over time. My acquaintance may not understand the importance of listening now, but I believe she will eventually find her way to the root of human connection: give and take; talk and listen.

Now, I'm glad to consider listening a unique form of art. It's more than just hearing words—it's about building connection, growing empathy, and developing consideration. Listening shows that you care and are eager to understand things, whether they are new or not. It requires not only patience but also humility to accept that sometimes people know more than you. Even younger people. Even those you deem unworthy of attention (but I hope that at this point, we're mature enough not to think that way).

So, listen. Listen. Listen. There will always be appreciation for those who are eager to listen.