" In the first 20 seconds of talking, your light is green: your listener is liking you as long as your statement is relevant to the conversation and, hopefully, in service of the other person. But unless you are an extremely gifted raconteur, people who talk for more than roughly half a minute at a time are boring and often perceived as too chatty. "
- Mark Goulston

The quote suggests that during the initial moments of a conversation, people tend to engage positively with someone who speaks relevantly and thoughtfully about topics that interest or benefit them. However, if a person continues speaking for more than about half a minute without pausing, listeners may start to feel bored and might perceive the speaker as overly talkative.

Delving deeper into this idea, it highlights the importance of being mindful of one's conversational style and timing. Effective communication involves not only what is said but also how and when it is said. By allowing for pauses in a conversation, speakers can give others opportunities to contribute and maintain engagement. Additionally, the quote implies that skilled storytellers or communicators might be able to sustain longer monologues without losing their audience's interest, suggesting that charisma and storytelling ability play significant roles in maintaining conversational momentum.

The author of this quote is Dr. Mark Goulston, a psychiatrist and communication expert known for his work on building rapport and resolving conflicts. He has written several books on these topics and frequently speaks at events to share insights into effective interpersonal skills and leadership practices.