How do you handle an incessant talker?

NJres
Fri, 15 Nov 2013 12:55:19 +0000

I am the “strong silent type” ie, my wife and I get along great because she likes to talk and I (like to?) listen. Every once in a while, after being interrupted or having a sentence completed for me incorrectly, I will say, “OMG, can I please say one sentence???”

With my mother, I mostly let her speak uninterrupted. I only get very upset when I finally try to say something and she looks the other way.

BTW, One thing I have learned to appreciate as a personality trait - especially in young people - is a natural curiosity, and asking another person questions about them rather than talking about yourself. I learned this from a roommate of mine many many years ago. I had a good friend over for dinner, and through my roommate’s questions I learned new things about my friend that I never knew!! Things that I had never thought to ask. In social settings especially with new people I always try to ask more questions than are asked of me…er… which sometimes involves steering the conversation away from my wife. :D