Preemptive Conversationalist / myLot

Boston, Massachusetts

September 4, 2015 3:07pm CST

I don't know how you feel about it, but I find small talk to be a little difficult. Generally, one asks a few questions about a person's health, family, job or latest vacation. But small talk can be almost impossibe with a preemptive conversationalist. A preemptive conversationalist quickly covers everything you might chat about in such a way that you not only don't need to respond, you couldn't because everything you might say as your part of the conversation has already been preempted by them. I know someone who needs nothing further than "Hello" to launch into a long explanation of her health, her plans, her family and the latest national news. There's really nothing left for me to say, but I darn well better say something or she won't stop talking. Ever. Even if I manage to blurt out the beginning of a story about something from my life, I never get past the first few words. She will jump on one of those words, charge off in another direction entirely and create a different topic of conversation, thereby preempting the conversation I intended to have. Do you know a preemptive conversationalist?

11 people like this

11 responses

Marie

@Tampa_girl7 (50270)

• United States

5 Sep 15

Yep, I have known a few.

1 person likes this

AnjaP

@Rollo1 (16679)

• Boston, Massachusetts

5 Sep 15

Do you wonder why they even want to talk to other people? They really don't need anyone else to keep a conversation going.

1 person likes this

Artgirl

@owstalaga (4707)

• Philippines

29 Oct 15

I hate small talk so usually the people I am around do the talking all the time. I just say a few words here and there. Unless I find something really interesting I want to talk about I won't bother much in talking to anyone.

Silvermist

@silvermist (19702)

• India

16 Sep 15

I do know a couple of people like that.,they never listen to anybody,they are in their own world.

Makayla Hutchison

@makahutch (50)

• United States

5 Sep 15

I've actually never met anybody like this.. I don't know if I'm just not very social or that there's no one like that around this area. (Arkansas) Or maybe, I might be that person and might not know that.. That'd be terrible. I hope I allow other people to have conversation with me lol.

Mohd. Irfan Alam

@gregario888 (1276)

• Aurangabad, India

5 Sep 15

Talk, or conversation, has to be positive, I mean, your interest in the person alluded to, should be genuine. As long it is so, one can be sure it will never turn into inanity.

Marlina

@marlina (154131)

• Canada

16 Sep 15

I know a few of those "on an on" talking people. It's hard to place a single word with them.

Oshy

@TiarasOceanView (70022)

• United States

5 Sep 15

I dont know anyone really but that is besides the point. I have in my life come across the sort of person you are referring too. Generally, it is not necessary for me to listen to them or entertain them, so I dont haha

sofs

@sofssu (23662)

•

5 Sep 15

I have a neighbor like this, all of us here avoid her because each time we say hello it takes 15 minutes to get off the conversation. At the end of the conversation I am always wondering what she was talking about. There are a million topics covered in 15 minutes

Anna

@LadyDuck (471459)

• Switzerland

5 Sep 15

When we lived in France, there was a lady who lived in the apartment just in front of us who was like this. I remember carefully watching through our door peep hole before going out to avoid to meet her. Everybody tried to avoid her.

Kimberly Cass

@Butchcass4 (5895)

• United States

5 Sep 15

Oh yes I know some people like this. They are very hard to start a conversation with.

Cahaya

@cahaya1983 (11116)

• Malaysia

5 Sep 15

I think we all have known or met someone like this at some point in our lives. I know a few. I think they just can't help talking and pouring out all the details. The worst thing is when you run into them at the time when you're in a hurry.