To want to get the hell away from people that talk "at" me?

[HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer]

I'm sure we all know/have come across the type of person I mean. The type of person that goes on and on and on about themselves and if you say anything they just say "yes, and as I was saying.." and carry on talking about themselves. I think it's lack of intelligence that is the common denominator in these types of people. Oh and skin thicker than a Rhino.

I went to town during the week and bumped into a girl that I've known for years, she is actually a friend of my sister's. She had her little boy with her in his buggy so after all the "Hello how are you?" and the "Awww he's grown so much" type of stuff, she then proceeded to just talk "at" me for 5 minutes about herself, and her husband, and what they were getting their son for Xmas. I literally could not get a word in edgeways. She didn't ask about me or my husband/kids or even listen when I tried to say anything. So I said "well I'm in such a rush so I must go, see you again" and off I went.

Then on the school run there is a woman that just makes a beeline for anyone on their own and then talks "at" them, usually about her health or about her daughter's progress in school. Again she doesn't listen to a word anyone says. I avoid her, but our daughters are in the same class and she regularly comes and stands with me at pick up time. It's just such a waste of time having to listen to her, she is so boring and there is no balance in the conversation at all.

Does anyone find they can be friends with this type of person?

Hexagonal/Blether - Yes I don't bother with these people so much as I used to. I am less long suffering. I'll move along quicker. I certainly don't try and compete though or get 'my life story' in. What's the point?

Though I will say I've been at a few weddings where I've been treated to very intimate, juicy stories because whoever it is has done all the talking, I've been doing all the listening and questioning. Can be entertaining! Dh and I always have a catch up afterwards in gossipy manner.

Yes, there are occasions where someone has a story to tell and it's interesting and you don't mind sitting and listening, just giving the odd cue to carry on.

It's those people who you can't say, "How are you?" to without them taking in a huge breath and saying, "Well...." that I can't stand!

Imperial.....Yes I do.

Oh God my next door neighbour is a non-stop talker too. In her case she doesn't necessarily talk just about herself; but whatever topic she launches in to she clearly doesn't expect much participation from me as she hardly stops to draw breath.

What I dislike most is that she is one of those people who don't seem to realise that her opinions are just that - her opinions. It would never cross her mind that a "nice" person would have differing views to her. So she will launch in to some long reactionary rant about something she has read in the paper (probably the Daily Fail) and from the way she talks she must think I will agree.

It would drive me mad when DD was smaller and I was walking her to school because I always used to enjoy the walk as a chance for DD and me to chat about what she would be doing, make up silly stories etc. Many mornings though it was like she was lying in wait to walk the dog just as we set off and she would then launch in to one of her monologues all the way to the school gate.

Just recently she collared me as I was setting off for work and began this completely looney rant about crime (youths hanging about in hoodies should be given a good hiding etc.) that looked like it could go on and on. I mean if you see your neighbour leaving the house at 8:30am in an obvious hurry then surely you would realise they are on their way to work and would not try to detain them like this? Eventually I think my body language gave away that I was in a hurry (I was actually starting to back away from her down the street) so she brought things to a hurried conclusion with ".. and they should string all these paedophiles up as well!" (Phew hoodies to paedos in less than 3 minutes - I guess if I had shown signs of lingering she would have touched a few more bases in between)