Among Friends

[Susan in California]

We visited our son and his family yesterday.

When we got home, I realized a lot of my share of the

talking had to do with events, experiences, that had

happened YEARS (decades) ago.  Some of the "stories"

were ok, maybe, but others most likely were boring if not

annoying. 

Everyone was very pleasant, there were no comments, but

on the way home, I told my husband I really want to stop

with the talking about anything older than 10 years (unless

asked about something from the past).

I remember when I was a child, a neighbor of the WWI

generation used to talk a lot to my father.  My father

was always very polite, and would say,  "Oh Ned, when

did that happen?"  and the older man would say,

"Uh, uh, let me think...I think that was in 1929"

My father seemed to think it had happened recently.

This was in about 1960, and I still remember the neighbor

and all his chatting. 

Do any of you talk like I do of too many things from the

past (in detail!). 

I'm hoping I can refrain from this....even if it means I talk a

lot less. 

[suzyQ3]

I think that to some degree it comes naturally with age. But yes, it may be most appropriate within an older group.

My husband is guilty of this when we get together with our daughter and family. I admit I wince occasionally. but then I try to understand that this his way of joining in. It always does relate to something in the general conversation.

[Love my grandkids]

I can only speak for myself. For the most part my DS, DIL and grandkids enjoy hearing stories about when I was little or their dad was or they were. Of course we do talk of other things too!

[Xivambala]

I am in my 60's and I do not. I leave the past where it belongs, in the past and prefer to live in the moment. My mother who is in her 80's does this all the time. She frequently asks if remember this, that and something else. Sometimes I remember and sometimes I don't. It becomes a boring conversation. I would never tell her how annoying this is as she won't be here forever. She is a wealth of family history and I have asked her several times to document this for me (only child here). I hope she follows through. I think we get along better when we concentrate on the here and now.

[Sooner]

I've always tried to be polite, but my mother and her sisters could absolutely bore me to death with stuff about when they were kids.  Good grief!

My husband is bad about it, and I try to be polite, but it is really getting old and I think we are going to have to discuss this.  I don't think anybody ever wants to hear very much about the good old days.  

I don't!  

[lolakimono]

@Susan in California 

My dad was in sales.

He made it a point of knowing what others liked, and he read up on it and/or watched it.  There is a particular team that you follow?  He would be able to talk about last night's game or the most recent trade.  A particular musical artist that you liked?  A package with a CD or an article from Rolling Stone would appear in your mailbox.  Your favorite food?  It would be in the refrigerator and maybe a recipe that he saw in the paper or one of his magazines. He could talk about most anything with anyone, but when you were in the "inner circle" you felt as if he also had those interests because he stayed "up to date."  

[ValuSkr]

I prefer to talk about the things they are doing -  in the here and now.  Sometimes they ask about something in my past, but I tend to keep it short.

[chessylady]

I do not talk about the past very much. I keep up on the news, watch movies, read books and take trips even if they are small ones. Sometimes I have to talk myself into doing things especially now. It always turns out well. To have interesting conversation you need to have interests in your life.

[Trinity11]

When I am in social situations I try and focus being a good listener. I have found people really love talking about themselves. As far as topics, I usually excuse myself after awhile if someone wants to drone on about their numerous health problems. I talk about the past if my grandson asks about my daughter when she was little. He enjoys those stories....

[hckynut]

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@Susan in California wrote:

"We visited our son and his family yesterday.

Do any of you talk like I do of too many things from the

past (in detail!).  I'm hoping I can refrain from this....even if it means I talk a lot less". 

@Susan in California 

Do I talk of the past?  Usually not unless a past topic comes up in our conversations. I hear too many "I used to be able to(pick your topic)"!

To which I always replied when connected to present physical activities: "Used too's do not count, it is what you can, and do now".

I love my past, most of it anyways, and enjoy a good reminisce, with those that also lived during those times. However most of my conversing now is about the present, or very recent past.

If you have read many of my posts you will probably know that I "talk a lot", which I have tried, unsuccessfully, to change for years. That includes face to face/phone to phone, and typing with those in Online Media.

What were the conversation topics done by others? If present topics did you have nothing to add?  I have 1 more question for you. Why so much spacing         

between your lines?

hckynut(john)🏒

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