Discussion»Questions»Communication» HE**! Being TRAPPED in a waiting room with a non-stop talker who talks about I/me/mine/kids/grandkids. Never asks about you. Whaddya do?
I let them talk. It all depends on the situation and what kind of waiting room it is. If it's in the hospital, I figure they may be upset/nervous/scared. What's it going to hurt me to listen to them for a while? If I'm waiting with someone, and the appointment, whatever it may be, is not for me, I can always excuse myself and go outside to have a cigarette.
If I'm in the waiting room of a doctor or dentist, I try very hard not to look at anyone so as not to encourage them to yak at me. I bring a book or newspaper and stick my nose in it.
This was a benign-looking old lady. She was built like a tackle! That should have given me a clue. Harmless or so I thought even so. One word, one look, one smile from me and she was off and running. Turns out this harmless old lady was a member of the Teamsters Union for 45 years. A tough-talking dame. I found out lotsa stuff about her. How she faced down male teamsters who threatened. I would not want to cross her. Ya never know. It's had not to judge a book by its cover..or its title. Once you open it who knows what yer gonna find? SIGH. Thank you for your reply Spunky and Happy Sunday! :)
I have a remote control for my hearing aids. Just hit the volume down control till I can't hear them anymore. :) (Seriously, I listen and just don't take any of it to heart. It doesn't hurt to listen to someone who is probably lonely)
Thoughtful and very caring reply Maurice. Seriously. Thank you for your response and Happy Sunday! Years ago I went to the House Institute in Los Angeles and had surgery on my right ear. I had otosclerosis and had lost 90% of my hearing. So now I'm wired for sound and have a bionic right ear. No chance of turning it down. But I could try to be kinder and more understanding. How could that hurt, right? :)
Another respondent said I should rock back and forth, stare at my feet and maybe add some humming! I think that is hilarious and I might just try that! Thank you for your reply Lyrical One! I think I need to be a bit more cautious at whom I smile in Waiting Rooms rolling forward!:)
Benedict Arnold 