4 weeks Ago By Lesley Alderman
Overtalkers can be entertaining storytellers but drift easily into being self-absorbed bores. There are ways to cope and respond. My husband has always been a big talker.
Early in our marriage, I found him entertaining, but now – 20 years in – it’s getting on my nerves. Since the pandemic, he’s been working from home , so I think he’s lonely and doesn’t get enough time with friends or colleagues. When I come home, it’s a torrent of information.
What’s more, I don’t feel that he listens that well to me when I have something to say. A new patient explained these concerns to me. She had come to therapy to work on being more assertive , so I was pleased she wanted to deal with her partner’s conversational domination, and I was empathetic to the delicacy it might require.
Over-talkers can be entertaining storytellers but drift easily into being self-absorbed bores. They seem to have an opinion on everything, can’t stop to take a breath or seem to be enchanted with the sound of their voices. To cope, weary listeners feign attention, seethe with resentment or practise tactical avoidance.
But better strategies exist..
