I think: (((("Why me? Why ME, Lord? I've been good, I pay my taxes, I give my time to charity, I keep my tildes nice and clean, so why do I have to sit here listening to this boring keeee-rap?"))))
Normally I just let them talk. If they go on for too long, I start telling them about my arthritis, all all my other little non-major conditions. Seems they don't want to hear about that and will usually go away.
If I have asked them, I listen with heartfelt attention. If they are someone that relishes the attention through talking about their every little problem...I'm just not tuned in after awhile.
Well, it depends. Did I ask? I ask a lot because of the nature of the profession I am in.
But I think you mean the ones who don't shut up and just drone on and on and complain and have no interest in ever learning how to get better if they can.
That stuff I just tune out and try and excuse myself. If listening to them does not help and only drains my energy, I am going to take a hike.
Actually, I was thinking about people who have real problems. I just was curious to know if I was the only one who starts feeling upset and worried for someone who is dealing with health problems. I honestly would feel guilty if I tuned it out, but this thread is giving me a idea that it might not be wrong if I did.
I generally listen politely. One of my sisters is especially bad about it and really doesn't care about anyone else. After about five minutes on the phone with her I stop listening.
I have a sister like that. She called me when I was in the hospital with two broken arms, both of which needed surgery, and spent most of the conversation talking about her sinus infection. I also listen politely.
There is something wrong with me. I get deeply concerned when someone starts telling me about their health problems. I feel so bad for them and wish I could make it better. I am taken aback that not one person so far has had a similar reaction.
I think it's from having mental people in my family as well as three people who loved being sick more than anything else I can think of. The tales of doctors visits, word for word what every one said. One of them actually fell in love with her doctors and an illness was a real boost for her. I was the sane daughter and daughter-in-law so was the go-to person for this kind of thing. I also had a husband who, when ill, was much worse to care for than either of the kids. Now, I seriously just don't want to know any details about that stuff. I'm not heartless, but they used me all up.
I spent a lot of years having to be concerned for a brother who suffered a closed-head injury and had a goodly portion of his left side crushed in an accident, after which I became his guardian, as well as a husband who the doctors could not figure out what was wrong with in the year and a half before his death. I've had to spend some nights in the hospital with my folks as well. Three of them are now gone and I'd give anything to listen to their health/medical problems again. When Mom talks, I listen with concern, even when I hear about her neighbor's issues, because she's a couple hours away from the rest of the family.
Randy D 