Should women keep quiet?

The old tradition seems to dictate that when men are talking, the women should keep quiet!! It is like an unwritten rule that suggests that women do not have an opinion and if they do, it does not really matter!

I once dated a man who was very uncomfortable every time I opened my mouth while out on a social gathering. He would get so agitated that he would change the subject much to the surprise of his peers who always wondered why he interrupted my contributions. See, I have been working on my social skills from the time I realised that social networking and human capital are fundamental pillars to the advancement of my career. With time, I have mastered the art of small talk which offers a cushion in situations where you have to interact with strangers at a cocktail or build rapport with a potential client.

I have somewhat succeeded at my attempt to be sociable, although sometimes, when I realize that I will be using up a lot of my energy, I avoid social gatherings all together-and that is especially after my body has sent me the “I’m not up for small talk” signal.

But it wasn’t always like this. Being an introvert, I’m more energized by the comfort that comes with solitude and being around familiar faces and situations. I however came to the realization that this was not going to get me anywhere. I have had to work my way through it by sponging on subjects of general conversation, using my analysis to draw my opinions, having a few basic facts at my finger tips and identifying at least one subject that I can authoritatively speak about etc.

I have seen results in this particular area of my life: in fact a friend of mine almost accused me of having an overbearing outlook that would intimidate men. He worried if I would ever find a man who would put up with my over expressive character! Do men have an issue with a woman expressing herself? Does it make them feel less of men? It seems to me that a number of Ugandan ladies have resigned themselves to this notion; that’s why we are still waiting for Sharon O to graduate from her monosyllabic speech!