„Ob man in Conversation reden solle?“

Abstract This article examines conversational silence, defined as silence embedded in the co-presence of interlocutors or within ongoing interaction. My approach is both historical and metapragmatic, focusing on how conversational silence was thematized and evaluated in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. I explore observable continuities and shifts in its perception and assess how these correlate with broader socio-cultural transformations. In essence, the study addresses changes in the cultural consciousness surrounding conversational silence. The primary sources are etiquette manuals, which are well-represented across the period in question and allow for the tracing of historical trajectories. The article concludes with theoretical reflections on silence as a communicative practice and reticence as a communicative habitus.