The Future of Us Language and Communication Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Chapter, Paragraph

Quote #7

"This might be tougher," Mrs. Tuttle says. She looks at her clipboard and reads, "If things are moving too fast sexually, and a girl is visibly upset, should the boy stop even if the girl hasn't said the word no?" (20.34)

In Peer Issues class, the teacher is helping students explore different ways that they communicate in relationships. She raises a really important question here: Is language necessary to tell someone what you want? Or are there non-verbal cues that are equally effective?

Quote #8

"You're making that face," Emma says as she types in her email address.

"What face?"

"Like you're judging me."

"I'm going to speak as calmly as I can," she says. "The way you're judging me means you're not even trying to understand what that life felt like for me." (26.18-21)

Here's that body language again, this time mixed with a lack of using verbal language to express feelings. Emma's upset because Josh isn't putting himself in her shoes—if he did, he'd understand that she was miserable with her future. But he's too busy thinking about Sydney Mills to open himself up to communicating with Emma about what she's going through.

Quote #9

With her sunglasses on and her hair spilling around her shoulders, Sydney looks content with whatever life tosses her way. It's the exact opposite of how I feel. [But something amazing must happen between now and then because, at this moment, we don't feel right for each other. If we started dating now, I can't imagine things lasting through the summer. (47.48)

Josh is hitting a brick wall with Sydney Mills. Sure, she's every guy's dream, but they don't really have chemistry, which is definitely a type of communication. Without chemistry, is the rest of it really worth it?