Tannen - 6 Subcultures of men and women

• Status VS Support

  Men: gain competitive advantage in conversation or prevent others dominating to achieve and retain status
• Status VS Support

  Women : use communication as a means of gaining/giving confirmation and support
• Independence VS Intimacy

  Men: asking partners is seen as ‘seeking permission’
• Independence VS Intimacy

  Women: See it as a sign of intimacy, sharing their feelings and activities and being open
• Advice VS Understanding

  Men: Complaining is a challenge to come up with a solution
• Advice VS Understanding

  Women: want sympathy and understanding
• Orders VS Proposal

  Men: Give direct orders with no uncertainty - women can feel bossed around
• Orders VS Proposal

  Women: use hedging to propose or give indirect orders - men can feel manipulated
• Conflict VS Promise

  Men: Don’t shy away from confrontation and conflict
• Conflict VS Compromise

  Women: Reluctant to openly oppose others and prefer to avoid confrontation