Do men and women communicate differently? And if so, why?

[Destinysdaughter]

I had a date with a guy tonight and although he was a nice, intelligent guy, I found myself at times bored and struggling to communicate with him. Firstly, he hardly asked me any questions about myself and when I did venture information about myself, instead of showing interest in what I'd said and wanting to find out more, he just told another story about himself. By the end of the date I was losing the will to live. I'm a v good listener and good at getting people to talk about myself but when that isn't reciprocated, I end up feeling shut down, bored and resentful. I've noticed this before, with men just wanting to tell stories and not deepen the conversation. I find it really frustrating and feels a very superficial connection. Is it just me or have other women had a similar difficulty in communicating with men...?

[Seeyounearertime]

I'd say yes, i'm a quiet guy, i listen far more than talk. I HATE talking about myself and would rather hear all about someone else's life TBH.
I've lived my life, been there through most of it, someone else's life holds far more interest to me. The difficulty i find is that I can be too quiet and other people rail road the conversation and talk constantly.

But it's one of the reasons i know me and my GF were made for each other. We can both sit perfectly happily and not say a word for hours and it's perfectly nice, comfortable and easy.

[BimBam]

I am like the ops date but always h lots of me wanting relationships with me. When I was younger I would just come away from date thinking you were quiet and boring.

I think it's just a personality clash. It's a marmite love or hate thing.

[BimBam]

*had lots of men

[Destinysdaughter]

Some interesting points on here. I agree, some women can be just like this guy was, maybe it's also the difference between introverts and extroverts. I'm much more of an introvert but do find people genuinely fascinating. However when it's all one way I get bored in the end!

[peggyundercrackers]

I tend to find men talk much less than woman in general - are the men listening though? I guess it depends if it's a subject that interests them - it is hard to be invested in a conversation you have no interest in and find completely boring.

maybe you just didn't have much in common with this bloke?

[Marchate]

Long ago I heard a comedian on Radio 4 talking about men & their conversational skills. This struck me as so true:
'Listen to us, and we'll love you'

[PoundingTheStreets]

I don't think the problem is so much that he he is male but that's he loves himself and thinks you should think he's amazing and you're so lucky he's interested in you.

[Umeboshisensei]

I think there is am increasing tendency to almost fetishise gender difference as explaining everything. There is also a whole industry of self help books and psychology which depends on people believing this. The one thing that may hold true is many men believe they have to prove their worth all the time. Not just to prospective romantic partners, also to other men, even in some cases their own families. The vile was socialisation happens means women feel they have to shut up and look pretty, women who don't fit the ideal are made to suffer. Similarly men are brought up to be strong and stoic, never admit weakness. The result is abysmal intra-gender communication, the media controlling women's happiness by keeping them insecure, and a desperately high incidence of male suicide.
To return to the original posting, I agree he sounds insecure or self centred or both. Or possibly nervous and unsure about himself. People are of course imperfect, it depends whether you can live with the imperfections in question.