The phenomenon of men interrupting women when they are speaking is a near-universal one. Now, before I get canceled (though I know I will anyway) let me back up this bold statement with scientific evidence. In a 1975 study by Stanford University, 31 two-person conversations were recorded and analyzed. Ten of these discussions were between two men, ten were between two women, and the other eleven were between one man and one woman. In the twenty conversations held between members of the same gender, only seven interruptions were identified total. However, in the mixed-gender chats, 48 interruptions were recorded, 46 of which were made by men. This is outrageous! While these numbers may seem unrealistic, we may have been conditioned over time to just accept the fact that we are supposed to either dominate or just listen to a conversation. In order to learn more about each other, solve problems and prevent further discord, we must learn to both speak up and listen to each other! In many situations, women feel as if they must just “go with the flow” in order to avoid being called bossy or a bore. As women, our job is not to be liked by every single person on this earth. Sure, we should try to solve conflicts in a civil manner and not be purposely and pointlessly difficult. But when it comes down to it, we should make ourselves heard, recognized, and appreciated rather than accept a consolation prize of validation from people who are only trying to use us for their own benefit.