Do you have friends/family who talk but don't listen? How do you deal with them?

@TheHorse (218463)
Walnut Creek, California
January 21, 2018 12:21pm CST
I was engaged in a Facebook "conversation" this morning with someone I've known since 4th grade. Her personality hasn't changed much in close to half a Century. She talks of her woes, of how busy she is, of how successful her (in College) daughter is, but never asks about me or what I'm doing. If I put out a hook to ask about me ("we had a gig last night"; "my lower back still hurts"; "I feel more relaxed since I left my afternoon job"), she doesn't bite. I have some friends here in California who are similar. Sometimes, as they're talking away on the phone, I'll start thinking about how many minutes I spent talking, versus how many minutes they spent talking, in a 20 minute conversation. It's often something like 18 to 2. Don't worry. Most of my friends and family are not like this. But, having just been involved in such a "conversation," I thought I'd write about it, perhaps to vent a bit. Do you have people in your life who are like this? Do you ever "give them a taste of their own medicine" and start talking non-stop about yourself, just to bait them? I rarely do, but I have now and then. It doesn't really work. I'll attach one of my favorite CSN songs. It becomes an ear-worm whenever I think about this subject. I hope you enjoy it. It's beautiful.
"Daylight Again: (a) Daylight Again (b) Find The Cost Of Freedom".
16 people like this
17 responses
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
21 Jan 18
I'm not a chatty person, but yes I do know people like that. They are all 'me me me' and are not interested in anyone else.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 18
Do some of them suffer from depression or anxiety?
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
21 Jan 18
@TheHorse Probably but I'm not sure.
@BabeSays (8575)
• Mauritius
21 Jan 18
My MOM and no you cannot deal with her. She never listen even if you keep talking she will alzo keep talking and ignore what you are saying to her. If you ever you a way to stop it please please please let me know.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 18
Reflect what she said, and then say what you have to say.
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
@BabeSays That sounds like someone with whom I might do the "passive-aggressive" thing and just start talking about ME non-stop.
@BabeSays (8575)
• Mauritius
22 Jan 18
@TheHorse The problem is once she stop and start the topic she cuts you and start another topic non stop talking.
1 person likes this
@wongchoiyee (7413)
• Malaysia
22 Jan 18
Yeah, hate it. It always happen when I meet my former school mates. Never appreciate what other people's thoughts.
1 person likes this
• Malaysia
24 Jan 18
@TheHorse yes on and on, I just listen.
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
Do they go on and on about how successful they are?
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
22 Jan 18
My sister @TheHorse . I'm surprised I have any hair left on my head. Our Sunday 'talks' are about 4 hours. Because she refuses to wear her hearing aid, I can't get a word in edge-wise. IF I can, I'm apparently a know-it-all.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Jan 18
That's pretty funny. Do you ever just describe your experiences? Life is a projective test, so I'm sure she'd know all the answers to your questions about life.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
23 Jan 18
@TheHorse Yup, I have and her response is, "It's all your fault. "
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
22 Jan 18
I think we all have at least one of those. Mine is my "friend", who used to be my bestfriend. It's part of why we aren't so close anymore, as I got fed up with it.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
@Courtlynn There are many who are planning their response before you finish, meaning they haven't even gotten your point. Sigh.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
I need SOME degree of reciprocity. The other person has to listen as least once in awhile.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
22 Jan 18
@TheHorse yeah, I hate those who don't.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jan 18
I don't like to be around people like that too much, and sadly I try to avoid them.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
I avoid them too, when I can. Sometimes I can't.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
@misunderstood_zombie Yep. Or band mates.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jan 18
@TheHorse This is true, especially if they are family or coworkers.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jan 18
i usually just don't.my mom in particular will get on non stop talking jags about nothing and i just can't stand listening to it.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Jan 18
@TheHorse yup.and often do.
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
Can you put the phone down and run a few errands?
1 person likes this
@id_peace (14005)
• Singapore
24 Apr 18
I will probably just let them be.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 Apr 18
I'm still working on this one. I want to be a "good listener." But I get frustrated.
@LadyDuck (471272)
• Switzerland
22 Jan 18
One of my cousin is like this, when she is in a group of people, nobody can open their mouth to say a word.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471272)
• Switzerland
22 Jan 18
@TheHorse They also bother me a lot, they seems just to wait that you open your mouth to start talking.
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
I admit that interrupters bother me. A lot.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
21 Jan 18
Yes! I have often found out they suffer from some sort of mental impairment, for instance my sister is bi-polar and its always all about her. The elderly ladies that rent from me are slightly mentally retarded, its always about them. Once Tony said "I am sick we are not going to do.. whatever" They added more to the list they insisted on doing. I just took them home and they showed their rumps. So yes I am the one who listens while everyone talks.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jan 18
I play that role often, and tire of it now and then.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26659)
• Singapore
22 Jan 18
You remind me of one who shoots rapid fire questions even on personal matters and when I start asking him he will just say "everything is fine" to end the "conversation". That is another type of character to deal with! siva
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Jan 18
Ah, that's a different phenomenon. I have to think about whether I know someone like that.
1 person likes this
• Trinidad And Tobago
23 Jan 18
I know people like that and it's too exhausting to try and pay them back in their own coin...they DON"T listen.So I just invent an emergency and hurry my departure. If this doesn't work I just grunt in appropriate place and watch my favorite movie or read something online. Sad, but it is a survival skill.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Jan 18
Heh heh. You made me laugh. Yes, just grunt at appropriate times, and do something else.
@Mshafeeq (1445)
• Bangalore, India
22 Jan 18
Yes some of my friends who just want to talk and do not listen to me at all it gets annoyed what is this non stop blah blah blah.. I don't like it I just cut it off and move on.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
Do you maintain the friendship? Or move on from the friendship?
1 person likes this
@Mshafeeq (1445)
• Bangalore, India
22 Jan 18
@TheHorse of course I maintain friendship I don't hurt them in any ways i just change the topic.
@tlynnett (12)
• Acme, Michigan
22 Jan 18
Hi. I do have family like that who only want to speak about what is going on in her life . She is not interested in my life nor my family nor how my life is going.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
Is she bragging about good things? Or complaining about bad things? Or both?
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
22 Jan 18
I've always been a listener and have found once someone realizes it, they expect you to do nothing but listen.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
Yes, that's the problem with being a "good listener."
1 person likes this
@much2say (55512)
• Los Angeles, California
24 Jan 18
I am glad I don't have family members like this, but oh I know plenty of friends and acquaintances who have that annoying me-ism. And silly me was the fool who used to listen to it all . . . but not so much anymore. This is the reason why I don't pick up the phone very often .
@JudyEv (339464)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jan 18
I know a few like this. I find them hard work as I'm not one to interrupt so without meaning to I find I switch off and start thinking about something else. This can be a bit embarrassing sometimes.I'm editing this to add: When I write I think I'm all 'me, me, me' because I don't want to appear nosy by asking too many questions. But I do try to ask after them or their hobbies, etc without being intrusive.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218463)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 18
It's a delicate balance, isn't it?
1 person likes this