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People telling the same old stories

(46 Posts)
BlueBelle Sat 02-Nov-24 13:42:33

I m sure we all do it with busy lives I always say ‘if I ve told you this before just stop me’

JdotJ Sat 02-Nov-24 13:40:31

I find it irritating when I've had an extremely good and long conversation with a friend and we've really put the 'world to rights' between us.
I've then gone home and thought through our in-depth conversation with a sense of fulfilment, only for them to talk about it when we next meet as if its never previously been mentioned at all.

paddyann54 Sat 02-Nov-24 13:39:37

My best friend and I do it we go over silly things we did over 50 years ago or people we knew then and laugh our heads off.Some stories never get old or boring .

Mt61 Sat 02-Nov-24 13:22:26

eazybee

To be kind, some people have many different but discrete social circles, and forget to which and to whom they have told their stories; I know I do.
And if someone launches into a familiar story they are going to tell it no matter what; saying, yes you told me and repeating the basic elements simply results in, yes that's correct and continuing to tell the story all over again.

Some folk just like sound of their own voice- my friend is like “that’s enough about you, more about me” 😩

Mt61 Sat 02-Nov-24 13:19:53

Yep for last 10 years my friend tells me the same tale every time I see her, if something else happens around that tale- I get the whole chapter & verse 😩 I have said you already told me.

eazybee Sat 02-Nov-24 11:29:09

To be kind, some people have many different but discrete social circles, and forget to which and to whom they have told their stories; I know I do.
And if someone launches into a familiar story they are going to tell it no matter what; saying, yes you told me and repeating the basic elements simply results in, yes that's correct and continuing to tell the story all over again.

Bea65 Sat 02-Nov-24 11:29:02

Pre-empt🤣

Bea65 Sat 02-Nov-24 11:27:34

I’m guilty of this at times so I prempt with “have I mentioned this before 😊” and then tell the story!

crazyH Sat 02-Nov-24 11:21:37

Whenever I tell a ‘story’ to my friends, I always start with ‘stop me, if I’ve told you this already’ …..

Nannarose Sat 02-Nov-24 11:13:50

I grew up in a community where everyone told the same old stories over and over again. I tell my family & friends that it's normal.

Primrose53 Sat 02-Nov-24 09:33:17

My old schoolfriend has always done this. It’s not an age thing.
She used to read something funny in a magazine and apply it to something one of her girls said.

She also used to see a funny bit in a film and pretend it happened to her and her husband. It got on my nerves to be honest because she would repeat it next time I saw her.

I put it down to her being an only child and always needing to be centre of attention.

NotAGran55 Sat 02-Nov-24 09:21:24

For some people in real life and on social media it is clearly cathartic to repeat important stuff from their lives.
Let’s be kind and listen- it might be the last time they ever get to say it 😔

Marydoll Sat 02-Nov-24 08:51:20

Guilty as charged!

RosiesMaw2 Sat 02-Nov-24 08:16:26

Jaxjacky

We have a friend who does it and we do say ‘yes, we know that story’ doesn’t stop them though. I think maybe they have little going on now in their lives so are constantly reliving previous times. It is trying though.

There but for the grace of God….?

keepingquiet Sat 02-Nov-24 08:13:38

My best friend has been telling me the same stories for fifty years! It is part of who she is and I love her for it.

When I am relating stories to people I usually begin with the caveat. 'I've probably told you this before...' I think it lets me off the hook!

On a more serious note all the myths, legends, and even local history was passed on this way because people couldn't write these things down. At a time of year when we are remember lost loved ones I think we should continue to treasure these stories and not dismiss them.

Jaxjacky Sat 02-Nov-24 07:44:38

We have a friend who does it and we do say ‘yes, we know that story’ doesn’t stop them though. I think maybe they have little going on now in their lives so are constantly reliving previous times. It is trying though.

RosiesMaw2 Sat 02-Nov-24 07:44:07

Some people who may have little contact with others do forget who they have told what to - don’t we all? She may not have much going on in her life to talk about.
She isn’t old you say, but may be ageing mentally or forgetful but you could just smile and say “Oh I remember you telling me that - that was so funny/dreadful/sad”, and move on
On that subject I not infrequently read anecdotes, “jokes”, or cautionary tales on GN and think “oh that old story again” hmm

Whiff Sat 02-Nov-24 07:37:55

Guilty of that . I can repeat the same thing in a sentence and not know I have said it . But have a good excuse as I have a rare hereditary neurological condition. My daughter sometimes says mom you have told me before. But I forget . But I would never dream of saying anything to people if they say the same thing over and over because you never know if they have any hidden disabilities. I look normal whatever that is until I move my disability effects my body but also my cognitive function. I can't always get words out or they come out jumbled up. In my mind it makes sense but what comes out of my mouth can be completely different.

But we are unique and all have things that annoys people even our loved ones . But do you want to hurt people by pointing out their faults ? I don't because I have had that done to me and it hurts . And I don't go out of my way to hurt people. Toleration doesn't take much effort.

luluaugust Sat 02-Nov-24 07:28:29

I have friends I have known for over 50 years and it is inevitable I think.

Baggs Sat 02-Nov-24 07:27:57

Maybe she has little conversation or feels that you would be over-critical if she expressed some of her views and just repeats the same old for something (¿safe?) to say.

Maybe feel sorry for her instead of getting irritated and drive the conversation a different way. Takes more than one person to converse. Is she just filling endless gaps?

Or you could go all Tao and let it flow around you....

Orangeleggedgoose Sat 02-Nov-24 07:16:20

What do you do when someone tells you the same tale over and over again? Do you glaze over and smile or say "yes. You already told me that" It drives me nuts. The family member I am thinking of isn't old and does not have any memory issues as far as I know but will tell me things that I am sure she knows she has already told me!