Thanks for the comment, although I feel I must disagree:

Apart from your gross generalisation about the typical U.S. citizen’s attention span, I think you’re quite correct—although missing the point.

Everywhere we go (regardless of international borders) your point holds true: the first 30 seconds to a minute are introductory, depending on the context… and in the context that this advice is supposed to be taken I feel that the ‘Traffic Light Rule’ is wholly valid.

Of course, the trick is not to take this advice too literally—nobody should time themselves talking—but instead simply be aware of time passing while engaging in a two-way discussion.

Thanks.

May I ask if it took you longer than one minute to read this?

Anyway, thanks for the constructive comment; please feel free to offer your analysis on some of my other posts.

Only joking, of course! Thanks for the lovely comment.