"Speaking and listening"

After a welcome drink at the newly inaugurated Schwätzbänkle, the Weingarten Forum asks "How do I feel about living in Weingarten?".

Everyone wants to be heard! But where can I say what I think? Maybe this evening is just right for you because you want someone to really listen to you! On these evenings, the focus is on listening - without asking questions or commenting.

After arriving from 7:30 pm with a welcome drink at the newly inaugurated Schwätzbänkle, this time the discussion format "Talking and Listening" will take place at 8 pm in the residents' meeting room of Buggi 50 (Buggingerstr.50).

"Talking and listening" is a dialog format developed by Mehr Demokratie e. V.. Participants experience a non-hierarchical exchange in which they can share their own experiences. This is achieved by giving each person the same amount of speaking time. One person speaks at a time for four minutes while the others just listen.
Without having to express emotions directly, feelings can be felt. This gives everyone a sense of "where the other person stands." Listening can create empathy and respect, especially when we recognize similarities to our own experiences. After several rounds of discussions, many of the participants have become more aware of how they feel about a topic in depth. They have also experienced that a democratic understanding is possible. This often leads to greater serenity, relaxation and confidence.
The format is a good preparation for factual and substantive social work. It is advisable to practise the format regularly in existing working groups, as it increases mutual trust and improves cooperation.
What happens on this evening?
We divide into groups of four people.
There is one question for each evening. In each group, each person in turn is allowed to say something about this question for four minutes; breaks to speak are not a problem. The other three just listen. They do not comment, ask or discuss. When all four have had their turn, there is a short break, followed by a second and third round on the same question. The question rounds should enable everyone to say as much as possible from their own experiences and feelings.
There is a short evaluation round at the end. This is not about an exchange of content. What was said in the group stays in the group! It is only about how everyone fared with this "speaking and listening" format.