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This is one of a
series
of brief articles on how to respond effectively
to annoying social behavior.
An "effective response" occurs
when the responder (a) gets their
met
well enough, and (b) both people feel
enough.
This article offers useful responses to
someone who tends to talk without stopping.It assumes you're familiar with...
Perspective
Is there someone in your life who often talks
"non-stop"? When they do, how do you feel?
Irritated? Bored? ignored? Numb? Impatient?
Critical? Amused? Resigned? Ambivalent?
Something else? How do you normally respond -
Endure (repress your needs)? Tune out?
Interrupt? Hint? Avoid conflict? Leave? Pretend
interest? Joke? Fidget? Complain? Blame?
Analyze?
Your
response/s usually indicate what you need
with a non-stop talker - for example...
-
to be included
and respected;
-
to respect
yourself (honor your integrity);
-
to avoid
confrontation or conflict;
-
to preserve or
improve your relationship;
-
to be "polite,"
"considerate," and not "hurt the person's
feelings;"
-
to attend to
something else ("not waste time");
-
to have a
dialog, not a monolog;
-
to change the
subject if you're bored or disinterested;
-
to inform the
person what they're doing, and how it
affects you;
-
to problem-solve
(meet your and their needs well enough);
and/or...
-
something else.
Notice that (1) you may have several needs at
once, which (2) may
and paralyze you, and/or cause frustration and
anxiety.
When this is true, it often means a
controls you locally. To best fill your
several needs, you need your
to guide you.
Why do people monolog? Though every
person and situation is unique, the person may
need to...
avoid an uncomfortable dialog; or...
keep control of the situation (avoid
discomfort); or...
be understood and validated on a
topic; or to...
release "nervous energy;" or...
pass the time safely; or to...
tell an important story (again, as in
grieving); or need...
something else.
When you're with someone who fills needs like
these by monologing (keeping a one-person
consider your...
Response Options
-
Use awareness
to notice (a) the other person's
monologing, and (b) how you feel and
(c) what you need in this situation
(above);
-
As
needed, mentally review these
until
they become automatic;
-
Watch for a chance to interrupt the other
person, and say one or more of these:
"(Name), excuse
me. Can I give you some personal feedback
now?"
If s/he says
"No" or "OK, But first let me ______ ;"
choose the right time to demand:
"I need you to stop (talking)
and listen to me now." Repeat this
until s/he stops.
"When you talk
non-stop, I tune you out."
"You've been
talking nonstop for ____ minutes. Are you
aware of that?"
"When you talk
on and on and don't seek any response from
me, I feel ignored, disrespected, and
frustrated."
"Can you sum up what you need me to
know here?" (If s/he does, offer a
to demonstrate you've heard the
person clearly.
"(Name), what do you need from me
right now?" If s/he ignores or
discounts you, try...
"(Name), who's needs are more
important to you now - yours or mine?"
The best answer is "Both of ours."
"Here's what I
need from you right now: __________,
_________, and ________."
"(Name), I'm
really not interested in all that detail."
Use the theme of these responses (brevity,
sincerity, directness, and respect) to shape
your own responses to fit the situation.
Finally...
-
People governed
by a false self may "resist" responses like
these. They may ignore you, com-plain, deny,
excuse, explain, get sarcastic, blame,
whine, go silent, etc.
Expect this normal reaction, and
affirm it with respectful
Then calmly repeat your original re-sponse
with steady eye contact. Repeat this
sequence until you get your needs met well
enough or your needs change.
Back away from these details, and compare these
examples to the way you're used to respon-ding
to distractions. Are you motivated to try these
options and see what happens?
