How do you talk to someone about a subject they don't want to discuss?
By sedel1027
@sedel1027 (17846)
Cupertino, California
November 12, 2006 9:04pm CST
A friend called me with this question earlier today and I didn't really have a good answer for her. She is trying to have a conversation that is religion based with her husband. They have had many conversations about this and he refuses to talk about it with her because he says that she doesn't have an open mind. She feels like not being able to talk about this is hurting their relationship. Any ideas for her?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@euniceeleanor (5966)
• Singapore
13 Nov 06
When he said that she dont have an open mind, does he mean that she's relunctant to accept his point of view on the subject? if im in your friend's shoe, i would probably try to bring up the subject again, and promise that i will try to listen to his point of view. and when he agree to talk, listen to his point of view and just share how i feel.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
13 Nov 06
She has tried that. He said he is finished talking about it - forever. She is afraid that this will mess up their relatrionship in the future.
@euniceeleanor (5966)
• Singapore
13 Nov 06
that's bad! he's not giving in...im sorry, im also out of suggestions here. Pls send my best regards to your friend and hope she can solve this dilemma soon!
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
16 Nov 06
He probably feels like she is attacking him. That is what it sounds like to me. How many times must a person talk about a specific subject? Even if she gets him to talk about it one more time does she really think that suddenly something will change and it will go her way? It hasn't happened yet and probably won't if she keeps bugging him about it. Yes bugging, because if she tries the topic and he says he doesn't want to speak about it but she persists.... That is not the way to an effective conversation. She has just accept that this topic is not going to exist and move on. If he wants to discuss it at a later point he will but NOT through her nagging him.
It is obvious that it wasn't a real discussion, because real discussions come to an end. It sounds like she is trying to force him to agree with her.... Otherwise the conversation would have been fulfilled.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
17 Nov 06
I think she is annoyed because he has started to talk to other people about the subject, but not her. They haven't talked about the subject in months, but since he talks about this with one of his friends, I think she may be a bit jealous.
@YellowKirby (95)
• United States
17 Nov 06
Just talk anyway....i don't really know, i've never had that happen to me
