I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds it increasingly annoying and difficult to have a conversation with a certain type of person.

We live in a self- centred and self- obsessed society where the art of conversation is much diminished. We seem to have lost the empathy for listening to other people’s stories or their point of view.

Far too many people tend to have one-way conversations. They seem to be keen to tell their narrative but hardly give you a chance to express your own point of view.

I suppose this is partly due to our modern way of living and changed ways of spending our time and making our entertainment. Are we lonely? Do we desperately need to unload to a person that stops and starts to engage in conversation?

I have encountered this again and again and I find that it makes social interaction that much harder.

It’s really frustrating when one is finally able to say something, only to see a vacant look on the other’s eyes as the other is only interested to be listen to.

I feel that the ability to listen is something that we all must learn to cultivate if we want to enjoy a constructive and sensible conversation.

I wonder whether there are many of you that feel the same and would welcome an exchange on this matter.

Giampiero Zucchelli, Clanville Road, Minehead