Competing for the floor

[irmamar]

Is this a saying? What does it mean? Is there another expression to say the same?

Thanks.

[Perikles]

Context?

[irmamar]

I don't know if you'll like the context.

Women also exhibit negatively polite behaviour in many contexts by avoiding competing for the floor or interrupting others.

[Perikles]

Escrito originalmente por irmamar

I don't know if you'll like the context.

Women also exhibit negatively polite behaviour in many contexts by avoiding competing for the floor or interrupting others.

I love it. OK. This refers to the area in a debating chamber, typically parliament. In a debate, somebody speaks for a motion (=proposal). Then there is a speaker against the motion. Then, the debate is open to everybody else. Because the previous speakers are somewhere special, the area where the rest of the debaters sit (or stand) is called the floor. That is where speakers compete to be heard.

So competing for the floor means to fight to be heard

And your statement is an ideal place - I've never been anywhere where it is true.

Edit - I retract that statement. This is indeed female behaviour, but only in mixed company !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[irmamar]

OK, I understand. Women must fight to be heard because men don't allow them to express themselves.

Thank you.

[Perikles]

Escrito originalmente por irmamar

OK, I understand. Women must fight to be heard because men don't allow them to express themselves.

Or, women don't normally see assertive speaking as feminine, and they would prefer to appear feminine rather than voice an opinion.

I have often observed that women in company where their husband (or functional equivalent) is present are usually very quiet, but they behave like very different people when their partner is not present. Why is that?

Men seem to be the same whether their wives are present or not.