Why are so few people in my life good listeners?

[sicily1921]

I don't mean people sitting there and absorbing your every last word I just mean people taking the time to do a bit of listening to something....anything I'm saying, no matter how big or small or just look like they are listening! For example:-

Friends blab on to me ( and I listen) then they constantly interrupt when I try to say anything.

Neighbours, talk over me and interrupt

ILs popped in the other day, I was on my own, DH in bath, DCs out so I had to sit and listen to them blabbing on for 15mins about some DIY they were having done. I wouldn't mind, we had been away on hol the week before and they didn't even ask me if I'd had nice time.

This is just a little moan about people only appearing interested in their own lives and not wanting to listen or take an interest in anyone else, it gets on my nerves!

That must be very frustrating. Maybe you are a very easy person to talk to and so people just offload and witter on? I'd just pipe up and tell them your news, even if they dont ask.

You can always come on here and be heard.

I know what you mean. The loudest in the room gets heard.

So, I'm listening. Tell me something.

Thanks Running and Unicorns, yes I do think I am an easy person to talk to and a good listener, perhaps this is why it annoys me when other people can't do it. I am really no good at talking (doesn't matter what about) if I think people are not interested. When I say not interested I generally mean this kind of thing:-

1)They immediately interrupt/talk over you
2) Something trivial distracts them as soon as you start to say something (after you've listened to them talking for hours)
3) If they do hear what you say, instead of commenting on it they'll just turn the topic back to themselves so they can start talking about themselves for another couple of hours...

Oh dear, do I sound bitter? Anyhow, for those interested I've just had a pretty nice holiday on Anglesey and went out in the garden the other night to see the meotor shower...saw about 4 in a row!

Meteor showers are great! Alas, there's too many street lights to properly watch them here though. :(

To be honest, I find that most conversations with people quickly descend into them moaning about their problems; so I feel your pain. It doesn't matter who it is you're speaking to (parents, friends, drunks, randoms at bus stops), once you've got past, "No I don't have any spare change!", "Lovely day ain't it?", or "What have you been up to then?", it suddenly turns into, "Cor, my back's been playing me up lately" or "Effing kids have been screaming all morning", etc, etc...

Was Anglesey nice? Ive never been. We didnt see any meteors, just lots of cloud.

I'd love to see a meteor shower!

IMO the biggest talkers are usually the worst of listeners. I used to be a big talker/ bad listener . Am talking a bit less nowadays and really try hard to listen, especially since marrying a lovely introvert who is also very interesting when he does talk . Now I find people who just witter on a bit wearing and try to avoid being in their company for long.

Maybe you could try to bit a bit ruder and interrupt in turn? Or just get up and do something else while listening?