To think adult conversations are all boasting

[Lilaone]

I'm mid 30s and every time I hang out with people around my age and older these days I've noticed all people talk about is about all the things they own, how successful they are, how well travelled they are, and how wonderful and how perfect their children are in comparison to others. What a bore. I've stopped catching up with some of my old uni friends from 15 odd years ago recently because they're all just trying to outdo each other and drop hints to suggest they're more successful than everyone else.

I went to a relative's Jubilee street party this weekend, tried to chat with the neighbours and every person was just blowing their own trumpets loud and proud with absolutely zero interest in getting to know anyone else - all just talking at each other. My favourite was a woman in her 60s who cornered me and non-stop talked AT me for 30 mins without me saying a word or me even introducing myself! She was an ex teacher whose students all passed their music exams with distinctions and apparently regularly went onto play for the London Philharmonic Orchestra, her husband (who was 'well off enough' to retire at 58) won a tennis tournament on Friday (he's ever so good at racquet sports) and treated her to a meal out at the town's fanciest restaurant to celebrate, she owns a holiday home in Devon and an apartment in the south of France, she's paying £10k for her son's honeymoon, and her 5yo granddaughter is the greatest ballet dancer who has ever lived. Why have people not got any self awareness that this so self absorbed and boring?

A lot of people here saying they avoid people like this... but why do I seem to attract people like this at events and how do you get away from people like this though?

Also it can't honestly be like attracted to like because I certainly don't big myself up - I have nothing much to boast about! I live in a flatshare, have an office job with an average salary, my hobbies are pretty standard and non-competitive (painting, hiking and yoga) and I have no partner, pets or children to speak of 😅

Yes OP I relate to what you're saying. I am amazed at how some people can talk like this and have no awareness at all.

I knew someone like this when I was on vacay in the South of France drinking the most expensive champagne money could buy.

Joking obviously... yeah really can't wrap my head around people like this either!

I do know some people like this & agree it's so boring.

Talk around the mundane or problems in your life normally happens with your closest friends or family .

People can have these conversations without blasting though.

I agree with the pp who said about social media. In real life people don't like boasting & humbleness etc is a virtue. Social media encourages showing off under the guise of sharing your life.

That's why you attract them. They gravitate towards quiet, unassuming, modest people they assume aren't 'accomplished' so they can boast and talk at you.

I have a work colleague like this. Talks about influential people coming to her parties. Bo-ring.

The YABUs are probably people that do this 😀

Never go on a cruise OP

Haha god no never!

Yup. And I always kill the chatter dead when I say how much work my house needs, how moody my teens can be, how shit their schools are, how annoying my husband's boss is.....

I'm not in competition with anyone

Blimey they all sound awful!! I’m relieved to read that your actual friends are not like the shallow bores you describe.Very crass to equate success with acquisition of money, never mind to brag about it, and talking without listening is social suicide.

What would you like to chat about?

Some people need to tell you about their holiday home in France. Three times in every conversation.

Real friends listen and chat properly.. but many people are unheard and need to speak.

I’d probably find that off putting. I find it nice to chat to people who are friendly and fun, I definitely don’t want to hear someone’s complaints unless they are a good friend having a bad day.

Agree with this 100%

Me expierence entirely - look at my most recent thread from after this weekend 😂