How many of us know somebody that we wish would take a vow of silence?

There's a quote that goes something like it's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. Some people would probably be more pleasant if they would just shut up once in a while.

i guess it depends on what is meant by taking a vow of silence. If it is being quiet for awhile and not yakking on and on I would not mind that, quiet can be nice. If taking a vow of silence means you are mad at someone and decide you are going to snub them by not speaking to them, i think it is kind of nasty. I have a relative who does this and it is her mean way of punishing someone. To her it is like I am going to make you beg me to talk to you. I have got to the point with these types of people to think.go ahead don't talk to me, if that is the game you want to play, I will enjoy the silence

I thought this might work because I figured people might get tired of the stone statue routine really quickly, although more aggressive types might insist on communicating with you via pen and paper. However, as some have pointed out, taking a vow of silence could backfire. In The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, people were always running to the mute character to tell him their troubles, though our mute friend was gradually revealed as a cold and unsympathetic being.

I can see how this might work with about 25% of the population. But, I think the other 75% might see it as a plus and like you even more. Most people love to talk and quiet people who will just sit there and let them blather on and on are few and far between. I have an aunt who I believe would talk to cardboard cutouts of people if she couldn't find a living person around. Personally, I wouldn't be able to keep a vow of silence for long - it's a genetic impossibility!

I don't think this would be a way to lose friends, I think you'd be more likely to annoy people.

Forget doing this as a way of losing friends and alienating people, there are plenty of people who'd PAY me to do this.