Dear Jerry:
“Talking stick” is a brand-new term for me. Thanks to our United States senator from Maine, a talking stick was used sort-of successfully in recent Capitol Hill negotiations. Instead of everyone shouting over each other, what a civilized idea for one person to speak at a time. If it takes a talking stick to accomplish that, I am all for it.
Meanwhile, I want to learn more about the talking stick. I would like to buy at least one. In multiple settings where participants talk, interrupt, and fail to listen, this is drastically needed. I can think of personal, social, and professional situations where I don’t have a moment to lose before introducing a talking stick. In fact, I could make a long list of people to receive talking sticks as gifts. This cannot wait until Christmas!
What is the origin of the talking stick? How do I purchase a talking stick?
Eleanor T., Portland, Me.
Dear Eleanor:
The talking stick is one of various valuable Native American customs. Additionally, it is called by numerous names such as “speaker’s staff.” It is utilized among many different Native American cultures. Those tribes include the Lakota, Navaho, Plains, Pueblo, Tigua . . . .
Impressively, the talking stick is one way to curb the “epidemic” you mentioned. Specifically, that would be the inability of certain people to talk less, stop interrupting, and listen. As you have obviously noticed, a lot of individuals covet the sound of their own voices rather than appreciate what they learn when they listen. Should a talking stick improve that epidemic, then we should all have one on hand in every necessary environment. Once presented, the talking stick “introducer” must clarify and enforce the procedure. When one is handed the talking stick, he or she speaks. When another person is handed the talking stick, it is that next individual’s opportunity to speak. It is not complicated.
Equally simple is purchasing a talking stick. Talking sticks are available in diverse forms. Some talking sticks are hundreds, even thousands, of years old. Some have been freshly produced in 2018. Artistically as well, you can find extensive variations. Concerning prices, you can buy one for $20 or less. You can purchase one for $2000 or more. Should you wish to go “authentic,” “vintage,” or both, you can spend considerably more. You can buy your talking stick at stores specializing in Native American products. You can purchase online at your favorite shopping Web sites (www.amazon.com, www.froogle.com, etc.).
Enjoy the process and your talking stick.
Jerry Romansky is a syndicated columnist. Readers are invited to write in English or Spanish: Ask Jerry, Post Office Box 42444, Washington DC 20015. E-mail askjerry@earthlink.net and (because of spam situation) write the name of your newspaper in subject heading. Questions of popular interest are answered in the column. Unpublished letters cannot be answered individually.