“In this world, conversations are negotiations for closeness in which people try …” — Deborah Tannen

The biggest mistake is believing there is one right way to listen, to talk, to have a conversation - or a relationship.

We tend to look through language and not realize how much power language has.

I can't tell you how many times I heard from younger sisters that their older sisters were bossy and judgmental.

Many mothers or daughters assume that words only mean one thing. 'If I feel criticised, that has to be the whole story', and 'if I feel I am being helpful, that has to be the whole story'.