It seems like boys have always been more equal than girls, beginning in primary school, where we subconsciously adopt a more submissive role. And it's during our teenage years, on the way to our alien destinations, that we both try out the behaviours and language that can make even the simplest conversation an exercise worthy of examination. It's no secret that based on our backgrounds, experiences and interests, males and females communicate differently. Even when they use the same words, they rarely mean the same thing!

There's been a lot of research lately investigating why boy-girl talk gets so complicated. Follow this exchange between Jessica and her new boyfriend.

Jessica said: "I wish we could do something special together."

Michael replied: "We do special things all the time. Didn't you have fun when we all went ice skating last week?"

Jessica meant: "I wish you and I could go somewhere alone sometime."

Michael interprets: "She's disappointed in me. She's bored. She doesn't have a good time when we're together.

While it might be obvious that boys are less comfortable than we are about expressing their feelings, there are other factors at work contributing to the communications gap between the sexes. Were you aware that

It's in the Year 3 playground that boys begin to turn away from the teacher and toward forming groups of six or so as far away from the teacher and the school building as possible. Girls tend to go round in pairs and stick close the building and the teacher.

Girls do not allow everyone to play, while boys will, as long as they respect rank. Girls let disagreements simmer for weeks while boys air their grievances immediately and then forget about them.

Girls often express their emotions using superlatives. Boys take these expressions literally.

Boys relate by doing group-oriented activities together, girls relate by sharing their thoughts and feelings. Boys report getting much more out of their friendships with girls because they can relate on a different level, something they can't do with their buddies.

Studies show girls take turns talking and listening. Because boys like to feel in charge, they expect girls to listen to them.

Boys interrupt almost 75% more than girls do in any given conversation! They are also the ones who most often choose what to talk about.

Girls ask more than 70% of the questions in any given conversation! One used most frequently is, "You know what?" That opens many exchanges, giving the speaker permission to answer the question, "What?"

Leaders in all female groups tend to assume a low profile and encourage others to speak, while men who lead discussions tend to ignore the contributions of others unless they're in a mixed group where they appear to soften, compete less and talk more about their personal lives.

Girls not only have higher voices, but they vary and change the pitch making the music of their conversation a lot more colourful than boys' conversations.

There are ten times more women investigating the differences in the communication skills of males and females than men!