Speaking of people who listen well, I have to add my friend Louis.  He has a better command of the English language than anyone I know, but he also grasps complex concepts he has never encountered before like they are a piece of cake. 

My favorite Louis quote is from our game of Taboo this weekend, trying to describe 'allowance' without using the words 'money', 'kids', or 'children':

"On occasion, I dispense small amounts of capital to my offspring..."