Men are known to be the worst listeners. If you want to attract and keep a man, try and avoid long rants about your girlfriends and other trivial matters. It may feel like your spouse isn’t listening whenever you go on about something that is important to you. Why doesn’t he listen and how can you make him listen to you?

Just because men don't respond, women shouldn't conclude that they aren't listening. Most women associate little to no response with not listening. Since women can listen and then respond with a million answers, they think men are not paying attention. This isn’t true for all men but most of the time if you think he isn’t listening to you then he probably just has very little to say in response.
Your guy will listen to you if you sweetly request him to, don't forget, men hate to follow orders.

Men respond to different kinds of verbal commands than women. Try not asking him at all and see what happens. If he doesn’t take out the trash then ask him nicely. This is one example of how to get him to listen to the little things. In fact, some of the worst marital problems occur when a wife simply demands and never asks her husband to do something. Even though he may deserve it, such an approach is certain to create resentment and make him less attentive to your requests.

When you are talking about your day and he responds with a grunt or a sigh or a simple nod, it doesn’t mean that he isn’t listening either. But if he truly isn’t listening then simply ask why. Likely he will respond with “It isn’t important.” What is important to him in day to day life isn’t likely to be very important to you and vice versa.

Listening skills are also taught while growing up. If he was raised in an environment where listening wasn’t very common – then that could be the reason he doesn’t listen to you always. If this is the case it is important to discuss how you can work on that together. Also ask him how you can be a better listener to him while he is talking to you.

There is no doubt that listening to each other is a huge part of a relationship. Being able to give and receive in a conversation is key to a wholesome and loving relationship. Consistently being ignored doesn’t feel so great, and not having your questions or comments addressed gets boring. Talk to him about how you feel but don’t be overly dramatic about him ignoring you. If he can repeat a paraphrase of what you say – then you know he is listening. If he cannot then he probably doesn’t care what you have to say, and that could be a problem.

 

©2011 Bob Grant