Comments on: A Member’s Eye View Of “Crosstalk”

By: Dave Hoff

Dave Hoff — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:34:05 +0000

My home group, Tuesday Basics, does not have a no crosstalk edict. It is announced just before a topic is picked and the attendance has more than doubled in the past few months. Seems like if someone has a problem with it that there are several other meetings they can choose to attend that do prohibit crosstalk. We don’t let it get out of hand, however. If 2 people wish to debate we suggest that they do it over coffee after the meeting. BTW I have been attending this meeting for almost 20 years.

By: David B. Ebert

David B. Ebert — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:06:50 +0000

Direct crosstalk is generally disapproved of in most meetings. What usually occurs in a good homegroup when someone dumps at length about unspiritual acts is these two things. One, a member who dislikes drowning puppies diplomatically shares their experience, strength and hope regarding puppy welfare without directly confronting the bad puppy. This keeps the discourse civil. After all, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Second, after the meeting a couple of the “boys” gets together with the sick puppy and talk to him in the parking lot, explain AA social niceties, suggest counseling and sponsorship, etc. The main reason for crosstalk prohibitions is to avoid arguments and general disruption in meetings. We wish not to allow morons to dump, nor, on the other hand, to allow the exercise of a pompous egotist’s belligerent urges to correct other people. Frequently some “tough-love” bigmouth alienates the whole meeting by picking on a newcomer about some minor faux pas, instead of quietly correcting him after the meeting. So there is a fine line. How much do we exercise tolerance, and when and how do we choose to correct them? Diplomacy is always the best way. It carries with it many virtues- including patience and love.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:57:30 +0000

You have the rumor mill in America too? I thought it was just in London.

By: alex

alex — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:40:22 +0000

No prob my rate is 10%…I mean it’s all pro bono for my favorite thump