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How do you tell a friend that never stops talking to shut up?

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Flarin

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You've been good to me in the past GAF so I come to you with another conundrum!

I have a friend (who happens to be a roommate) who just loves to talk. If you ask him how his day was he'll proceed to describe it in detail for the next half an hour. Sometimes he'll just sit down and start talking without being asked. The other day me and my girlfriend cooked together and she asked him in passing how his Christmas vacation was. Instead of enjoying a nice meal together we had to listen to his entire trip in exhausting detail.

Without being rude, what's a clever way to tell this friend to stop talking or somehow cut his ramblings short?
 
Is he the kind of friend whose feelings would be hurt if you directly, no-nonsense, spoke with him in private and went "mate, you really talk too fucking much sometimes"?
 
Doesn't sound like a very close friend. Easiest thing is to just say, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but we wanted to have dinner together tonight. Would you mind?" or any variation on that. It's really not difficult.
 
Is he alone a lot? I know that if I spend a lot of time on my own, the next time I talk to someone, I'll talk their ear off. If that's not the case, then yeah, kindly interrupt him. I'm a big interrupter. I'm finding that's not the case in the midwest, which always means I'm talking and since I'm used to being interrrupted, I don't know when or how to stop hahaha.
 
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Flarin said:
You've been good to me in the past GAF so I come to you with another conundrum!

I have a friend (who happens to be a roommate) who just loves to talk. If you ask him how his day was he'll proceed to describe it in detail for the next half an hour. Sometimes he'll just sit down and start talking without being asked. The other day me and my girlfriend cooked together and she asked him in passing how his Christmas vacation was. Instead of enjoying a nice meal together we had to listen to his entire trip in exhausting detail.

Without being rude, what's a clever way to tell this friend to stop talking or somehow cut his ramblings short?
Click to expand...

The cheeky bastard.
 
b31ca3ead627d8815f2c54fb706701f3.jpg


More broadly, bring it up in between long-winded monologues. As a rambler myself, most of the time people that do this are not even aware they're dominating conversations in this way. A little self-awareness goes a long way.
 
First of all, you approach him like you'd approach a wild animal. Low to the ground, cautious--like you absolutely aren't a threat. Don't make any sudden movements! Show him that you want to be his friend. Extend your hand to him slowly, and possibly with a bit of hotdog clutched between your fingers; An offering if he just comes a bit closer to see.

Once he's close enough, slowly smoosh your other hand over his face while making a very quiet, "Shhh..." noise. Repeat until he stops talking, and once he's done talking you can reward him with that bit of hotdog.

Alternatively, there's really no polite way to tell someone you aren't interested. Sorry, my dude. You're stuck either bein' a bit of a jerk or listening to him ramble forever.
 
Sounds like more of an acquaintance if you don't feel comfortable enough to tell him you have heard enough or that you need to focus elsewhere, etc
 
I talk over my friends and family a ton. I've been told to shut up for a second before and don't take it as a big deal. I know I got that problem so it's w/e they just need to talk faster.
 
You look at him in the eyes.
He will keep trying to look away as he talks but make sure you keep eye contact.
You dont let up.
 
Tell him to give you the quick version of his Christmas vacation. Or the quick version of how his day went.

Also, is your roommate Sean Penn?
 
"I understand that if any more words come pouring out your cunt mouth, I'm gonna have to eat every fucking chicken in this room."

I'd tell him he talks too much and that he really need to cut it short because he's boring the wholly living fuck out of you. Subtlety likely won't get you anywhere.
 
and if food is nearby. Just take a piece and put it near his mouth trying to feed him.
He may turn away, but keep bringing closer and closer.
 
John Kowalski said:
Buy a very big knife and show it to him while reminiscing about the taste of blood. End with dreamy eyes and a sigh.
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Or stand over his bed while he sleeps, then wait for him to wake up and catch the bloody knife in your hand. Say nothing and walk out.

If he still calls the next day, move to another state.
 
When I was younger and less straightforward I dated a girl for a very long time who did this daily. Every car ride felt like a hostage situation. Sometimes I'd just start turning the music up lol. Nowadays I'd just tell the person diplomatically that they're being a little "too much" for me.
 
I have a room mate who sort of does the same thing. Not 24/7, but when we have a conversation she will just bowl you over. Hard to get a word in sometimes, especially when she's drinking! It can be frustrating, but I know she means well so I just let it go.
 
Im kinda that friend with my group, if he really is your friend, just tell him he is talking too much, he'll understand. We all do. We know we talk too much, for the love of god, don't be afraid of telling us to stop.
 
The social ineptitude of GAF will never stop amazing me.

How about

"hey Bro, what was your day like, don't five me a 2 hours story just condense it"

"hey, sometimes you talk much more than required around my gf, mind cutting it down? " then provide an example.

Just be nice and make him understand you are not being a dick. Use your inside voice and kind words.

Additionally why is it a problem? So he talks a lot. You should just sit in silence. That would be really fun.
 
For reference, there was one night where someone in our circle of friends had their father pass away. We all met up to support him and have a few drinks. This friend of mine somehow turned to the conversation around to be about him and not our friend who just lost their father. This is the kind of human I'm dealing with here.
 
Flarin said:
For reference, there was one night where someone in our circle of friends had their father pass away. We all met up to support him and have a few drinks. This friend of mine somehow turned to the conversation around to be about him and not our friend who just lost their father. This is the kind of human I'm dealing with here.
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Pull him to one side and tell him. He might not even realise.

I don't understand why things like this are problematic.
 
StalkerUKCG said:
The social ineptitude of GAF will never stop amazing me.

How about

"hey Bro, what was your day like, don't five me a 2 hours story just condense it"

"hey, sometimes you talk much more than required around my gf, mind cutting it down? " then provide an example.

Just be nice and make him understand you are not being a dick. Use your inside voice and kind words.

Additionally why is it a problem? So he talks a lot. You should just sit in silence. That would be really fun.
Click to expand...

Some people aren't as receptive to politeness like your friends apparently are.
 
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