Are you listening to me?
By moonchild1au
@moonchild1au (6237)
Australia
June 8, 2010 4:37am CST
Believe it or not but this was my hubby's idea for a discussion...Have you ever been talking away to someone only to turn around some minutes later & ask them if they were listening only to find out they have been away with the fairies & haven't heard a word you say? Does it bother you? Do you have a laugh about it? This happens quite frequently in my house...hubby tries to talk to me when I'm on the computer & I don't hear him...I'll try to talk to him when he's trying to watch a tv show & he won't hear me unless it's an ad break, etc...we both think it's funny & I think that's why hubby suggested that I start this discussion...Would love to hear if this happens to you too.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
9 Jun 10
What? 
Oh yeah, this happens ALL the time in our house. My son is the worst for it as he just does not take in more than one instruction at a time. My daughter is not much better. We are forever asking both kids to do things and then they reply after not doing them that they did not know about it! 
My wife is always getting frustrated at me for not remembering things that she remembers telling me. I cannot remember her telling me these things as she has a habit of telling me when I am in the middle of doing something. My mind is often concentrating on what I am doing and do not even realise that she was speaking to me. When I ask her if I looked at her when she was telling me, she replies "NO". I then respond with "Well what made you think that I was listening to you then!"
If I tell her things when she is busy I always try to make sure that she is really paying attention by asking her if she heard what I said and getting her to repeat it. This is the same technique that we have to use with our kids. 
Oh yeah, this happens ALL the time in our house. My son is the worst for it as he just does not take in more than one instruction at a time. My daughter is not much better. We are forever asking both kids to do things and then they reply after not doing them that they did not know about it!
My wife is always getting frustrated at me for not remembering things that she remembers telling me. I cannot remember her telling me these things as she has a habit of telling me when I am in the middle of doing something. My mind is often concentrating on what I am doing and do not even realise that she was speaking to me. When I ask her if I looked at her when she was telling me, she replies "NO". I then respond with "Well what made you think that I was listening to you then!"
If I tell her things when she is busy I always try to make sure that she is really paying attention by asking her if she heard what I said and getting her to repeat it. This is the same technique that we have to use with our kids. @moonchild1au (6237)
• Australia
9 Jun 10
Tis seems like a regular occurance in the average Aussie household huh? lol
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
10 Jun 10
Yeah, not just here in Australia either I reckon. "Blue Potatoes" was it? From the comment above. I will have to remember that one. 
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
8 Jun 10
Hi, moonchild1au. Yes, this has happened to me many of times before. And I do feel stupid in the end.
It is like I was talking all for nothing. And it makes me feel so ashamed.
That is why when I notice that the person has not heard a word that I was saying to them. I will immediately stop and question them about if they heard me or not.. I am glad that you and your husband was able to make a joke out of this though.
It is like I was talking all for nothing. And it makes me feel so ashamed. That is why when I notice that the person has not heard a word that I was saying to them. I will immediately stop and question them about if they heard me or not.. I am glad that you and your husband was able to make a joke out of this though.@moonchild1au (6237)
• Australia
9 Jun 10
It can definitely be frustrating at times...my hubby just said before to say to the person who wasn't listening "blue potatoes" & when they give you a funny look, just say to them well, you weren't litening lol.
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
8 Jun 10
If you don't get my attention first, it is a lost cause. People absolutely have to MAKE sure I HAVE responded to them, before they tell me anything, else, they will have to repeat themselves.
Of course, when I know you want to talk to me, I drop most everything else and give you my undivided attention, like I was giving to whatever you interrupted me from.
Sincerely and With Appreciation.
@moonchild1au (6237)
• Australia
9 Jun 10
I think this is the case with me too in a way & I think that's because I'm legally deaf in my left ear.
@rosie230 (1704)
•
8 Jun 10
It has happened to me in the past, but not recently... I know what you mean though it can be really frustrating to be talking away to someone, who is just not listening, and then when they say "What did you say?" or something like that, you then kind of try and say it again, but then you feel exhausted by the fact you had already said it once, and don't really want to have to go through it all again.
@moonchild1au (6237)
• Australia
8 Jun 10
I agree, it's annoying when you have to repeat it but sometimes it can be funny because you kinda know when they're not listening (sometimes) & you can just ramble on.
@parulbidani (138)
• India
8 Jun 10
lots n lots of time with my husband....sometimes in night during sleeping time....when i talk to my husband...sometimes he doesnt reply...its just like your case...i think its just because of tiredness and busy schedule
