What is girl talk?

[Mary Lee]

I read that many times but do not know what girl talk is.:doh:

[ReineD]

Girl talk is the stereotypical, female version of Guy Talk. You know, guys talk about cars, sports, the stock market, the hot babe who lives down the street, and girls talk about makeup, their clothes, recipes, their kids, the fight they had with their husband yesterday, etc.

In reality, everyone talks about everything. I personally love to talk about ideas. :p

Edit - my female friends and I discuss current events, politics, work matters, the politics at work, our mutual hobbies, our children, and give each other news of the people that we know. IF we ever talk about fashion, it will be a two minute comment, where one will tell the other about a new find, if she recently bought something. We never, and I mean NEVER talk about makeup. Most of my friends don't wear any. They don't need to, they're beautiful enough as they are! :)

[Gloriamontrose]

I read that many times but do not know what girl talk is.:doh:
One of the main differences between men and women is that men are focused into one theme or hobby while women have a much wider but less intense interest spectrum. Classic example is in the magazine publishing world. Men's titles tend to by highly specialised, carp fishing as opposed to salmon fishing, model railroads, airplane modelling, digital photography and so on are ALL aimed at men. Pick up a womens magazine and the editorial remit is huge, cooking, fashion, make-up, fictional stories, and so on. They have their consumer specialized titles too but not on the scale as men. So their conversations are much wider too and can flit from one subject to another. They're less inhibited too. I was shocked when I found out that my wife told her friends that I liked her to shave her pubes - learnt that from her friend who called me a 'kinky bugger'. Listen to what your wife talks about with her friends and then compare it with what you talk about with with golf buddies. FHM? For men who have no hobbies - and I have a theory here abouty longevity after retirement.
Me, I'd rather talk about fashion and make up.... and trains (big on that!).

Gloria

[Kate Simmons]

Girls talk about anything and everything. I'm frankly amazed that when in a crowded noisy room , most girls can carry on at least 5 different conversations simultaneously. We can learn a lot by hanging around girls. ;):battingeyelashes::)

[Shae Baby]

it's just a silly name us GGs came up with so that we don't have to explain everything that we were just talking about to our SO. lol so, what it means (really) is that "i'm feeling too lazy to explain it right now"

[DebbieL]

Girl talk is the stereotypical, female version of Guy Talk. You know, guys talk about cars, sports, the stock market, the hot babe who lives down the street, and girls talk about makeup, their clothes, recipes, their kids, the fight they had with their husband yesterday, etc.

These are often "bonding tactics" - ways for women to get related to each other - especially if there is a male in their midst. There are often more conversations around feelings and simply sharing. There is very little "can you top this". The aim is to share common experiences. Attempting to establish rank is generally frowned upon.


In reality, everyone talks about everything. I personally love to talk about ideas. :p
Edit - my female friends and I discuss current events, politics, work matters, the politics at work, our mutual hobbies, our children, and give each other news of the people that we know.

There is a different relationship to such ideas as well. For men, politics and economics tend to be more detached conversations, talking about what "They" should do, with most members of the group clear that they are too busy doing their jobs, putting food on the family table, to actually stick their neck out and get directly involved.

In "Girl Talk", there is a much more direct and "hands on" relationship to such ideas. There are discussions of different projects the various women are taking on in their communities, fund raising, charity work, and service work, with the open and unspoken invitation for other women to get involved (along with any men who happened to have survived the bonding talk.


IF we ever talk about fashion, it will be a two minute comment, where one will tell the other about a new find, if she recently bought something. We never, and I mean NEVER talk about makeup. Most of my friends don't wear any. They don't need to, they're beautiful enough as they are! :)

This depends on the group. Often, fashion, especially complements on outfits, accessories, and other fashion are simply ways to affirm the various members of the group, to make them feel more like they are part of the group. Often, there is the compliment, and the option to share where they got it, and how much of a bargain they got. Again, the goal is more one of inclusion and helping the other women in the group feel more part of the group.

One of the biggest differences between "guy talk" and girl talk, is that rivalries - though they exist, are minimized in girl talk, while in guy talk, rivalries, conflict, and competition are a key element of the conversation. There is often a "I can top that" element of guy talk. Even if it's talking about childhood hardships - the one guy will say "we had rats for pets", the second guy would say "we had them for DINNER", the third one said "you got RATS, we only got little mice".

When they talk sports, they talk about how they could make the team do better, and if there are fans of rival teams, there are discussions of the strengths and weaknesses of each team, usually the fans of describing the strengths of their own team, while the rivals pointed out the weaknesses of the same team. Often, it would turn into a few friendly little wagers on the outcome of the next game.

Among men, guy talk is a more socially acceptable way to establish "pecking order" than the more violent and physically aggressive tactics they used as young boys. Some will be intellectual bullies, flooding the conversation with factoids - establish his rank as an expert. Others will try to minimize this advantage, challenging minor points in the facts, or pointing to the irrelevance of the factoids being dumped.

Man-talk is more confrontational as well, with more focus on the opposites of views, with little or no common ground. Girl-talk is more cooperative and collaborative, with more focus on common ground, shared experience, and possibilities for solutions that take the best features of both sides, and avoid the pitfalls raised by both sides.

Men are allowed to join in girl-talk and if you get a chance, you should do so. It helps, however, if you are aware of the differences, and learn to abide by the rules of girl-talk rather than trying to do "guy-talk" tactics in a circle of women. You will tend to shut things down, and they will tend to agree that you are an "unpleasant fellow" once you have left the room.

[Lorileah]

5_Ym7Lj6ko0
They like to chat about the dresses they will wear tonight
They chew the fat about their tresses and the neighbor's fight,
Inconsequential things that men don't really care to know
Become essential things that women find so ap-pro-pos,
But that's a dame, they're all the same it's just a game
They call it Girl talk, girl talk
They all meow about the ups and downs of all their friends,
The who, the how, the why, they dish the dirt, it never ends.
The weaker sex, the "speaker" sex we mortal males behold
But though we joke, we wouldn't trade you for a ton of
Gold.


well that is what I think Girl Talk is

[Julie Denier]

Me, I'd rather talk about fashion and make up.... and trains (big on that!).

Gloria

So many of us seem to love trains! ;)

[Kimberly Kael]

These are often "bonding tactics" - ways for women to get related to each other - especially if there is a male in their midst. There are often more conversations around feelings and simply sharing. There is very little "can you top this". The aim is to share common experiences. Attempting to establish rank is generally frowned upon.

Lots of good insight here and throughout the rest of your post. Differences in social habits seem to be strongly related to established societal roles. Men tend to focus on asserting their competitive advantages, while women are more likely to showcase supportive traits. Men are discouraged from admitting weakness, while women don't have the same barriers to sharing feelings and discussing challenges. Of course these are just broad themes with a lot more variety among individuals than between genders.

[NathalieX66]

Girls & women seem to focus on sharing events in their lives, including all the boo-hoo stories. There's certainly less focus on conquests, and how many cylinders the latest Ferarri has.

Lorileah, I'm an '80's rocker, and this Dave Edmunds song comes to mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT0cwGYwUzA

[ReineD]

Girls & women seem to focus on sharing events in their lives, including all the boo-hoo stories. There's certainly less focus on conquests, and how many cylinders the latest Ferarri has.

That's true. But they sure like to list their children's accomplishments, or the raise they just got at work.

[Lynn Marie]

I've noticed that when I'm visiting with another CD girlfriend that we quite often sit talking directly to one another. It seems that when talking to men in drab, we sort of talk across to each other. It's quite different.

[LasVegasXD]

I've also heard that stereotypically women talk and develop a conversation together. Men meanwhile seem to compete in the conversation in some way or another.

[TheMissus]

Where I live the men don't talk, they grunt. So the only talk IS girl talk, lol

[noeleena]

Hi,

Depends on who you are around , most of my women friends its about what we are doing with in our groups from the clothes we are makeing or wearing or being on our commitee as we were tonight talking about our events for the year, 7 of us women,
our Edwardian group.

Many of those i work with its just normily day to day detail. family just life really and past expriance's .
A point i would make i cant talk with men in the same way i do with women for many men theres no connection plus i dont relate with men as men do with each other, i can say with work building or the job im doing yes to a point,

i would not talk about my inner most feelings i would be embarrised how i relate to and with women is natural ,

What has come up is if we have an issue or feeling out of sorts hormonal detail men most times walk away & some will say oh take a pill . or just get over it or get a life, i get by just unless its about music or some other interest we may have in common it'll come back to im a woman my main friends are women we just understand each other in a way thats different from men, so girl talk is just that for us girls,

...noeleena...

[Lorileah]

How old are your friends?

ummm....16? :idontknow:

I agree, what most here think is important to women isn't after say sleepovers quit being on your activity list. But as I say I am 16 years old...everything I am doing now a 16 yera old GG did while growing up

[Lorileah]

OK Kids...you know that this discussion about "women's things" is not really allowed here...move on

[Tina_gm]

IDK why Reinie but they do. In great detail and it goes on for more than 30 seconds. :edit: I married into one of the most loving great families but OMG are they NUTS! I had been dating my current wife for maybe a week or two, her sister rolls into town and within 5 minutes of meeting me she is taking a bubble bath in my garden tub..... I mean, who does that? lol

[Debra Russell]

. We never, and I mean NEVER talk about makeup. Most of my friends don't wear any. They don't need to, they're beautiful enough as they are! :) :rasp: :bow: :dammit

...........all of who have too are jealous.................Debra

[Lorileah]

Stop now...no more OK? You all know the rules if you don't they are posted at the top. Don't make me go all crazy Mod :wedgie:

[Gloriamontrose]

Girl talk is more talk than man talk. Girls in a day will utter 20,000 words. Men will make just a third of that at 7000. A believe it or not there is scientific evidence showing why that is. It's a case of never mind the quality - its quantity that matter. it might be that the true test of 'passing' is that you out talk the men in your company. Wasn't there a song.........

Gloria

[Tara D. Rose]

Girl talk is when two girls are talking

[ReineD]

Stop now...no more OK? You all know the rules if you don't they are posted at the top. Don't make me go all crazy Mod :wedgie:

Lori, I'm thinking that whenever anyone asks what "girl talk" means, they have something particular in mind. What's the first thing that you think about? :rolleyes:

But to everyone .... try to not place women's conversations into stereotypes. We are not obsessed with body functions. We are not obsessed with the way we look. We are not obsessed with being catty to each other. We really are regular normal people just like you are, and we talk about a variety of things, except crossdressing. lol.

[Courtney . J]

what is girl talk ? - This Thread :heehee:


sorry i had to :o

[Lorileah]

Lori, I'm thinking that whenever anyone asks what "girl talk" means, they have something particular in mind. What's the first thing that you think about? :rolleyes:

.

usually "girl talk" is family and work, and food, and SO's...that's what I think

[ReineD]

No, I meant stereotypically. I have a mental image, likely from a movie 60 years ago, of a bunch of women in dresses and aprons talking about things they wouldn't want their husbands to hear. Of course this isn't real, but honestly the expression "girl talk" surely must come from that time. Because when I talk to my friends I simply call it talking. Not girl-talking. lol

[Druscilla Supernovae]

So many of us seem to love trains! ;)


I love trains too. I love the way they shake the ground as their raw power is put down at full throttle.


Where I live the men don't talk, they grunt. So the only talk IS girl talk, lol


You mean the Tim Allen grunt?


Girl talk is more talk than man talk. Girls in a day will utter 20,000 words. Men will make just a third of that at 7000. A believe it or not there is scientific evidence showing why that is. It's a case of never mind the quality - its quantity that matter. it might be that the true test of 'passing' is that you out talk the men in your company. Wasn't there a song.........

Gloria


Unless of course he is a truck driver then he will talk himself silly. Alot of truckers are like that, me included.

[Ressie]

Mary Lee, it seems odd that you don't know what girl talk is. Some of it is a bit secretive I guess.

it's those conversations that: A) men aren't really interested in, B) the girls don't want their men in on. Try being the only guy going out to dinner with 5 GGs sometime. They may avoid some normal girl talk with you there, but you'll probably find the topics of conversation boring.

[NicoleR]

Mary Lee, you opened up a can of worms, lol.

girl talk can be ANYTHING from female issues, dating, sex, clothing, makeup, hair, really anything. girl talk should also be known as, the complain hotline, or the bitch fest, lol.

[ReineD]

Mary Lee, you opened up a can of worms, lol.

girl talk can be ANYTHING from female issues, dating, sex, clothing, makeup, hair, really anything. girl talk should also be known as, the complain hotline, or the bitch fest, lol.

This is just so darn condescenting. It reeks of male privilege! :eek:

You forgot to add, politics, current events, her job, her friend's job, the pressures and politics on the job, the kids, co-ordinating car-pooling efforts for all these moms who are juggling 5 hats, getting the car fixed, the latest remodeling project they're working on, (I just finished refinishing my SO's hardwood floors), the latest movies they saw, a great book they're reading, and oh yeah, we talk about guys the same way that guys talk about girls.

I'm sorry people, but please get it from the horse's mouth. Don't be imagining things about which you know nothing. :p

Makeup? Clothing? Hair? :strugglin

[NicoleR]

geeez, calm down. i said it could be ANYTHING. sorry, i didn't make the list long enough.

it wasn't meant to be condescending.

this was a fun thread, don't need to jump all over me, damn.

[Melissa Rose]

Sigh. Do not confuse what 12-13 young women sometimes talk about among themselves to what adult women talk about. Also, shows on the CW network are not a good source of accurate information. :-)

I work in a non-profit organization that is predominantly women. The conversations are exactly as outlined by Reine. The only consistent difference I have noticed is the women will occasionally compliment each other on an article of clothing or related item where men rarely do something like that. It is not a long discussion, but a passing comment. Everything else topic wise is the essentially same; however, as a group, the women may express themselves slightly differently than the men. Lunch conversations are the same. I have also gone out with co-workers (all women) and the conversation topics do not change even after a few (or more) drinks. Sometimes the word choices or comments become more NFSW, but the topics do not change or become more "girl" specific. I have worked in this office for 10 months, and I am treated no different than any other woman in the place so I do not believe the conversations change when I am not around. While men and women may sometimes express themselves differently, neither gender owns more of the lighter weight topics.

[ReineD]

Sorry Nicole. I guess yours was just one post too many.

There are sooo many threads in this place about what we talk about, what we think about, whether or not we are jealous of our husbands' great legs, blah blah blah ... and everyone who is not a GG has an opinion that more often than not is wrong. And when we do tell the truth about ourselves, it is either ignored or no one believes us! It's like many of you are so busy painting this imaginary picture of what being a woman must be like, that you don't want to pay attention to reality.

You ladies can give all sorts of opinions about yourselves and your own thought processes, but when it comes to painting GGs as vacuous, or petty, or little-girlish, or masculine (if we wear pants), then yeah ... it does get to me sometimes.

Sorry that you were the brunt of it. I extend an olive branch. :hugs:

[Frédérique]

What is girl talk? I read that many times but do not know what girl talk is.

It’s the voice (or language) of the subjugated, maligned, and perpetually abused gender… :sad:

PS - Mary, I've been to Medina, OH many times! :)

[NicoleR]

EVERYONE will have their OWN opinion to define what "girl talk" is.

from my experience, it's something i would NOT feel comfortable talking about in front of other men, which is why i quickly posted those topics.

if there is mixed company, TYPICALLY women won't feel UNCOMFORTABLE discussing a remodel, car repair or kids around other men.

AND i have many male friends who could "out-girl/guy-talk" me any day of the week. i have known these ppl for years, so they feel comfortable discussing anything.

i have one friend in particular, when i see his number come up, i answer, "Hello, complaint hotline." :)

ok, Reine, olive branch taken ;).

[ReineD]

EVERYONE will have their OWN opinion to define what "girl talk" is.

from my experience, it's something i would NOT feel comfortable talking about in front of other men, which is why i quickly posted those topics.

if there is mixed company, TYPICALLY women won't feel UNCOMFORTABLE discussing a remodel, car repair or kids around other men.



I just looked at your profile and see that you are a GG. My apologies, I thought you were another CDer telling us what we talk about.

You also are a cosmetologist and so of course the focus of many of your conversations with your clients is hair and makeup. It's your job. But the majority of us don't spend time in cosmetology shops and we certainly aren't focused on hair and makeup when we spend a few hours together having coffee. A young woman getting ready for the prom, maybe. Or when she is getting married, maybe. But the balance of us that juggle jobs and kids, no. And after the kids are gone, by that time we know our style, we know what suits us and what looks good (less as we age), and there really is nothing to talk about when it comes to that stuff.

Further, when I have coffee with my girlfriends, there is NOTHING that I say that I could not say in front of a man. The men who live in my world are rather enlightened. (And they're not necessarily CDers.)

The only time that I would not want someone to hear what I'm saying, is when I'm talking about them. This applies to both men and women, so even that doesn't fall under "girl-talk".


As to olive branch, thanks, Nicole. I'm glad that you're up for a good discussion! :)

[Beverley Sims]

Girl talk that I have been involved in has included talk about boy friends, fashion and what we are going to do on the weekend.

[Tamara Croft]

Seeing as people can't follow the damn rules and there has been so much editing in this thread, it is now closed.

And some people really should know better!!