In the following passages I will concretely describe some means of communication which imply something different to men than to women and consequently are often interpreted differently depending on the sex. Questions, for example, are used more frequently by women than by men and women often employ them as a method to facilitate and maintain the flow of communication. Men, nevertheless, interpret also such questions as a request for information whereupon they like to give detailed answers, as in their eyes those who know more have a higher status. Women then often wait in vain for a question posed to them which, from their viewpoint, would balance the conversation and indicate interrelation. Furthermore Jennifer Coates writes that women make an effort to respond to what their interlocutor has said before and then forge links to a similar topic.
Men tend to ignore what has been said before and mainly concentrate on making their own point.
They want to talk about what is in their interest, no matter whether there is a link to the previous subject of discussion. This observation, too, reflects Deborah Tannen's theory. According to Jennifer Coates women intend the opposite with interruptions. They want to show that they are actively listening and support the person they are listening to. While their interlocutor speaks women often throw in short comments, nod and currently use minimal responses such as 'mhm' or 'yeah'.