Note that sometimes people don’t reply when they have heard someone not because they think the comment is valueless but simply because they don’t have any immediate, obviously relevant reply to make.
I’ve had a similar problem talking on the phone with friends. Many of my friends prefer to remain completely quiet unless they actually have something to say. I prefer an occasional “yeah, uh huh” just to make sure that the person is still listening or that the call hasn’t been dropped.” After talking for a few minutes without an audible response, I sometimes say “hey, would you mind grunting on occasion so I know the call hasn’t been dropped?”
I don’t know if it’s socially optimal but it seems to work. (I only do this with friends who reasonably “get” me. I probably wouldn’t recommend it with people you’re not that close with)
Note that sometimes people don’t reply when they have heard someone not because they think the comment is valueless but simply because they don’t have any immediate, obviously relevant reply to make.
I would hope that people who don’t reply for this reason would at least look at me and purse their lips or go “hm” or shrug or something.
I’ve had a similar problem talking on the phone with friends. Many of my friends prefer to remain completely quiet unless they actually have something to say. I prefer an occasional “yeah, uh huh” just to make sure that the person is still listening or that the call hasn’t been dropped.” After talking for a few minutes without an audible response, I sometimes say “hey, would you mind grunting on occasion so I know the call hasn’t been dropped?”
I don’t know if it’s socially optimal but it seems to work. (I only do this with friends who reasonably “get” me. I probably wouldn’t recommend it with people you’re not that close with)