--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: More men feel comfortable doing \"public…" description: "\"More men feel comfortable doing \"public speaking,\" while more women feel comfortable doing \"private\" speaking.\" — Deborah Tannen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7f/deborah-tannen-9586_comfortable_more-men-feel-comfortable-doing-public-s_2723320.jpg" --- # More men feel comfortable doing "public speaking," while… ![“More men feel comfortable doing "public speaking," while more women feel comfortable doing "private" speaking.” quote by Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7f/deborah-tannen-9586_comfortable_more-men-feel-comfortable-doing-public-s_2723320.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7f/deborah-tannen-9586_comfortable_more-men-feel-comfortable-doing-public-s_2723320.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7f/deborah-tannen-9586_comfortable_more-men-feel-comfortable-doing-public-s_2723320.jpg) > “More men feel comfortable doing "public speaking," while more women feel comfortable doing "private" speaking.” [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Women tend to prefer intimate, one‑to‑one communication, whereas men often gravitate toward larger, public audiences. **In simple terms:** Women favor private talk; men favor public talk. Key Takeaway Recognize and respect differing communication comfort zones. Themes gender communication social norms public speaking private speaking Mood thoughtful analytical Type observational insightful When to use this quote - team meetings - networking events - family gatherings - classroom discussions - online webinars Key Concepts Sociolinguistics gender studies contextual communication Questions to Reflect On - How can we create inclusive spaces for both styles? - What factors shape these preferences? A Different Perspective May reinforce stereotypes if not nuanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Public speaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-speaking/) ## Related quotes > [I am not one of those who believe - broadly speaking - that women are better than men. 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It's not a good thing. Always better to be terrified.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karan-soni/no-i-can-never-feel-comfortable-it-s-not-a-good-thing-always-better/) [Karan Soni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karan-soni/) > [I try to make everyone around me feel comfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-caine/i-try-to-make-everyone-around-me-feel-comfortable/) [Michael Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-caine/) > [When we're in that kind of childish space, we're more genuine and feel more comfortable with our friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-spiegel/when-we-re-in-that-kind-of-childish-space-we-re-more-genuine-and-feel/) [Evan Spiegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-spiegel/) > [We must each learn to feel comfortable in our own uniqueness by rising above the fear of being wrong and the aversion to being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/we-must-each-learn-to-feel-comfortable-in-our-own-uniqueness-by/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [I like to work, I like to feel comfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-green/i-like-to-work-i-like-to-feel-comfortable/) [A. J. 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I think that's true for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teri-mckeever/i-think-sports-gave-me-the-first-place-where-this-awkward-girl-could/) Teri McKeever > [It's like my second home, 'It.' And I would like to return to it, because I feel very comfortable with it, and I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/it-s-like-my-second-home-it-and-i-would-like-to-return-to-it-because/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) ## More by Deborah Tannen > [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [Cooperation isn't the absence of conflict but a means of managing conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/cooperation-isn-t-the-absence-of-conflict-but-a-means-of-managing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [Communication is a continual balancing act, juggling the conflicting needs for intimacy and independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/communication-is-a-continual-balancing-act-juggling-the-conflicting/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [“A woman will be inclined to repeat a request that doesn't get a response because she is convinced that her husband would do what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/a-woman-will-be-inclined-to-repeat-a-request-that-doesn-t-get-a/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [Like most men, my father is interested in action. And this is why he disappoints my mother when she tells him she doesn't feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/like-most-men-my-father-is-interested-in-action-and-this-is-why-he/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [“...You're so real. That's why we love you." ... Her friend's response reflected the reciprocity of showing vulnerability. It is a gift not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/you-re-so-real-that-s-why-we-love-you-her-friend-s-response-reflected/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [The desire for freedom and independence becomes more of an issue for many men in relationships, whereas interdependence and connection become more of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/the-desire-for-freedom-and-independence-becomes-more-of-an-issue-for/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [To say anything about women and men without marking oneself as either feminist or anti-feminist, male-basher or apologist for men seems as impossible for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/to-say-anything-about-women-and-men-without-marking-oneself-as-either/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [Communication is a continualbalancing act, juggling the conflicting needs for intimacyand independence. 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