People Who Talk At You & Not To You

My former boss was like this. I just always say yeah and pretend that I'm listening. I hate having to bear him. The worst part is he never even really listen about the few things I said.

Oh my gosh, you just described a couple of friends of mine. And I am not a phone talker, I hate it more than 5 minutes. I have no idea how they talk and talk. I will put the phone down too, come back and they are still yaking. They didn't miss me at all. I will say, "I'm sorry, I have to get off, and they will say okay, and keep yaking." Drives me nuts. The call can be 3 or 4 hours long.

Well, I find people like that to be a waste of time to have as a friend. I would not be able to talk with them and call them a friend if they have nothing really to talk about. And in reality people who are like this need a life as I feel there is way more to live than just always wanting to talk about themselves and others not caring what you really think.

Um, yep. I've got a friend like that. Although, I'm honestly not too sure how much longer I'll put up with it. She's one of those types that no matter what you say to her, she comes up with a comment about how she's either done it better, worse, longer or whatever! Get the picture? She's always trying to one up everyone... I'm not sure if it's insecurity or what. But it does drive you crazy some days!!!! But, we've been friends a long time and she's getting worse. Don't know whether I should just say something to her or just ignore it.

I find that kind of "friend" exhausting. Conversation is about back and forth. They are basically making a presentation LOL I mean, if someone has news, good or bad, and wants to share it with me, I think that's great. But I don't like situations such as what you described -- the person gives you a hello, a quick "how are you" and then off they go. I have often broken in to their speech and said, "did you call for my feelings about any of this or did you just want me to sit and listen the whole time??" People are often caught off-guard if you directly question them. I think some are so truly lost in themselves that they don't realize how long they go on. My solution to wasted phone time has always been my cordless phone. I walk around the house doing things while they talk -- I'll put in a load of laundry, fold and put away another, do dishes, clean the bathroom mirror and sink, make lunches for the next day, anything other than sitting there wasting time. I think I should invest in a headset of some sort and then I won't have to hold the cordless either LOL

I usually hang up after a few minutes and when they call back I say did we get cut off there must be something wrong with my phone and hang up again. Although I don't mind when a very good friend is upset about something and needs to vent. When I make a phone call and someone else answers the phone I always say may I speak with.... never can I talk to...

I have sa friend like that, she bascially only rings me up tso she can indulge in talking about herself and all the stuff she's done etc. I barely say any words unless i actually butt in! I have to say that i've stopped taking her calls lately as ever sinc ei'v ebeen working i just don't want to spend an hour of my short eveing at home lsitening to her jabber on about her life...