Do you think of yourself as the kind of person people listen to?

I think in most circles I am in my words have weight. In a few though, I don’t think they do and it really gets to me. I feel the need to matter (and I think I am not alone in this)

I didn’t decide it – I’ve just been told that I’m an excellent (their word) speaker and that I am empathetic.
My circle is mostly of underclassmen, and they tell me that they look up to me. It’s humbling, so I try to be a good example.
that sounded stuck-up.
So I take their word for it. Besides, I think I do have an affect, at least, in some ways.

It is all dependent on mood, circumstance, subject, milieu and intention. Sometimes I sound authoritative, sometimes silly, sometimes dismissive, sometimes foolish, sometimes witty, sometimes pompous, etc.

No, people don’t listen to me. Oh, well

Generally I am. Friends, family and my students often seek my advice. Co-workers sometimes too.

In the case of my profession (teaching and the day job), I’m OK with it. I mean, this isn’t my first rodeo and I have a pretty wide knowledge base, so it’s appropriate.

With family and friends however, I’m not fond of it. In most personal issues, I’m no expert and emotionally, I’m as fucked up as anyone else. I don’t have any special insight.

Frankly, I’m at a point in my personal life where I wish I had someone who I could talk to – someone with wisdom I could listen to.

I find people often make the mistake of weighing my words or taking them seriously because they have been articulated well. My friends especially think I am intelligent but it’s really just the contrary. They are all more intelligent than I am.

It is nice to have that kind of verbal power, though. It means I get to try to help all my friends when they come to me with problems. Usually it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But regardless the ability to communicate has been the decisive factor in the construction of all my close relationships, and I like to think (however smugly) I may be the catalyst for that.

@Facade – we are on the same wave length at the moment, nobody listens to me either, hehehe damned fools they are!

No one ever listens to me.
But they always admit that I was right.

The only time people listen to me, is when they have a problem, or when they need advice. I guess it’s fair though, cause I don’t listen to them, but I don’t admit it.

if people ask for my advice, I try to give the best advice I can give. The thing I hate is when someone begs for my advice, and then is dismissive of my words. You don’t have to take my advice and follow my suggestions, but don’t be a prick about it.

I’m a teacher. There are consequences if people don’t listen to me <;D.

Actually a lot of people seek me out for advice or information on my areas of expertise so I assume they are listening.

I give serious advice, often tinged with a hit of silliness. Whether people listen to me or not, I can’t really judge.

I don’t even bother to listen to myself.

I hope people listen to me. I make an effort to articulate the thoughts that are worth a listen, rather than those that probably don’t make sense. My biggest problem is that sometimes I listen to the loudest voice rather than the one that makes the most sense.

A particular few people listen to my words, respect and value my opinions but I find most people don’t listen to me when I speak out loud but that’s probably more to do with who I have to talk to on a day to day basis.

yes