In college I consciously adopted masculine speech patterns. I read that men were taken more seriously, and this extends to the way men speak.
And it worked. People assumed I knew more just because of the way I spoke, and my body language.
That was decades before I realized I'm trans.
Since transitioning, I have noticed it's increased. That people credit me with more expertise and question or challenge me less
@tyghebright @stueytheround It's unfortunate that sexism is so ingrained. I wonder if "gay voice" undermines that dynamic.
It absolutely does. It's frustrating, but I see it all the time in business. People, especially men, don't take men who "sound gay" seriously. Women, too, but they're more subtle.
@tyghebright Women ARE better at communication though. LOL
I have literally timed my half of a conversation on the phone w some folks who complain I don't let them talk enough. It's almost never true that I even take as much time as they do. LOL
Yes. Women generally have better communication skills.
Also, studies show they're better at brainstorming, though they usually don't get credit for that. Groups of men come up with many more ideas. But the women's ideas tend to be more workable, because they consider a variety of perspectives and how different people will be impacted.
@tyghebright A partial source for those interested in digging further.
https://www.pbs.org/speak/speech/prejudice/women/
off-topic a tiny bit: but years ago my spouse read a study about which brain areas light up when listening to speech. i can't remember the citation, unfortunately.
but it was SO interesting.
the "male" study subjects (dunno how they determined the category male) lit up one area when listening to other males.
but when listening to "female" speech, the male brains were activated in a different area!
the area that would also light up when they heard music, or birdsong.
1/2
so MY take-away from that was that my voice must be like music to his ears (or his brain).
LITERALLY.
so instead of listening to me for information, he hears birdsong.
this might contribute to why it takes SO MUCH WORK to communicate well.
2/2
@tyghebright Having lived on both sides of that divide, what's your experience? Do you think you're taken more seriously since transitioning? Do you find yourself with more space to speak?