I have a similar “transition mode”, but it’s between one-on-one conversations and groups of three. If I’m talking one-on-one, I usually contribute at least 50% of the conversation, sometimes significantly more. In theory, talking to two other people should result in me contributing about 1⁄3 of the conversation...but it’s more like 5%. I think part of it is because the conversation dynamics with three people are more complicated, making it hard to manage things like taking your turn without interrupting the others. Part of it is because in a group of three, I’m not needed to avoid awkward silences.
The amount I’ll actually talk in a group conversation drops even more steeply above three. I wouldn’t say specifically that I’m less relaxed, that I’m uncomfortable, or even that my comments become less interesting, but I tend to go to “listening mode” instead of “talking mode”, which is less work for me anyway.
I have no problems in public speaking, or elaborating on a question someone asks me specifically during a group discussion.
I’m the same. Great one-on-one, and extremely awkward when there are two or more other people, which I find to be very exhausting due to the extra conversation dynamics you note. It’s also very difficult too when you’re the sort of person who likes to periodically be silent for a period in order to think more deeply about what you’re talking about—with more than one other person there, somebody else will just start a new conversation on a new topic to avoid the “dreaded silence”.
That’s really interesting!
I have a similar “transition mode”, but it’s between one-on-one conversations and groups of three. If I’m talking one-on-one, I usually contribute at least 50% of the conversation, sometimes significantly more. In theory, talking to two other people should result in me contributing about 1⁄3 of the conversation...but it’s more like 5%. I think part of it is because the conversation dynamics with three people are more complicated, making it hard to manage things like taking your turn without interrupting the others. Part of it is because in a group of three, I’m not needed to avoid awkward silences.
The amount I’ll actually talk in a group conversation drops even more steeply above three. I wouldn’t say specifically that I’m less relaxed, that I’m uncomfortable, or even that my comments become less interesting, but I tend to go to “listening mode” instead of “talking mode”, which is less work for me anyway.
I have no problems in public speaking, or elaborating on a question someone asks me specifically during a group discussion.
I’m the same. Great one-on-one, and extremely awkward when there are two or more other people, which I find to be very exhausting due to the extra conversation dynamics you note. It’s also very difficult too when you’re the sort of person who likes to periodically be silent for a period in order to think more deeply about what you’re talking about—with more than one other person there, somebody else will just start a new conversation on a new topic to avoid the “dreaded silence”.