1. Based on Tannen’s genderlect analysis, do you agree with Harry that men and
women can’t be friends? Why or why not?
2. Apart from the topics of conlict, questions, listening, storytelling, and pub-
lic vs. private speaking, can you come up with your own examples of how rapport
talk is different from report talk?
3. What are the practical implications for you if talk with members of the oppo-
site sex is, indeed, cross-cultural communication?
4. Tannen’s aha factor is similar to Carl Rogers’ standard of basing our knowl-
edge on personal experience (see Chapter 4). What are the dangers of relying
solely on the aha factor?
