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Elderly chatting

(48 Posts)
petallus Fri 24-Aug-12 12:31:32

Oh why do I do it? Went in to see the optician this morning, a nice young man. Found myself chatting away giving far more information than was needed, mentioning previous glasses and so on.

I've noticed I'm doing this more and more, especially with shop assistants and bank clerks and other 'captive audiences'.

Oh help! I am turning into one of those sweet but garrulous old ladies I used to notice with irritation/pity.

Any tips on how to shut myself up?

vampirequeen Fri 24-Aug-12 13:08:31

I don't know but if there is a cure I need it too because it's something I've become more aware of doing.

HildaW Fri 24-Aug-12 13:17:12

Oh petallus, sounds like me nowadays. I have to keep reminding myself to ask the other person a few questions to make sure they get a word in.

Bez Fri 24-Aug-12 13:21:17

In need too - perhaps we should develop a cure we could market!

Greatnan Fri 24-Aug-12 13:22:45

I use the excuse that I rarely get to chat face to face with anyone, but in fact I know my daughters were telling me about this trait years ago.

Annobel Fri 24-Aug-12 13:28:14

Don't think I'm overly chatty - my sister would put me in the shade for chatting! I prefer to think of myself as a listener!

jeni Fri 24-Aug-12 13:40:53

I'm chatty too!
Bodes well for the meetups! Do you think we should warn staff to get ear defenders?

Greatnan Fri 24-Aug-12 13:46:21

You are a great listener, Annobel, and I am going to give you every chance to prove it! But I do like to listen to your lovely accent.

Hunt Fri 24-Aug-12 15:00:17

If we didn't do it ''little,old chatty ladies'' wuold die out and that wouldn't do at all.

merlotgran Fri 24-Aug-12 16:52:24

When I used to take my mum shopping I used to spot a lady pushing a baby in a buggy coming the other way and pray they would not make eye contact. Once my mother got started with 'Dear little girl/chap/soul', I'd be trying to drag her away while the poor mother probably wished she could get on with her life shopping. Sometimes it would take half an hour just to get down the high street. Checkouts were a nightmare as well. Staff are trained to be chatty but I would stand there thinking, 'Please can we just get on with this? I've got to drive mum home, put her shopping away then drive home and put my own away and I'm already knackered'
I belong to the miserable old crone brigade. When out shopping I do NOT chat.

Annobel Fri 24-Aug-12 16:58:37

My dad was a great one for chatting up the ladies at the checkout! Could charm the birds off the trees.

kittylester Fri 24-Aug-12 17:01:20

So glad others do it!

I often find myself really horrified after I've left a shop as I remind me of my mother! blush

kittylester Fri 24-Aug-12 17:03:01

I've just reread the OP - ELDERLY chatting!!!!!!! Can't be what I'm doing then! shock

Notsogrand Fri 24-Aug-12 17:04:25

I don't think I'm overly chatty but I do get digs from daughters about my tendency to 'go round the houses' when telling a tale. I'm encouraged to 'get to the point'.

johnl Fri 24-Aug-12 17:11:51

where are all the grumpy old grandads, am i the only one? i cant moan about anything on my own, it doesnt feel right.

jeni Fri 24-Aug-12 17:12:19

And me.

Annobel Fri 24-Aug-12 17:19:12

Hi johnl, i don't think we've met. Welcome. The grandads (grumpy or otherwise) spend all their time in Lil's bar. Perhaps if you pay a call there, you won't even want to moan, but anyway feel free to vent your spleen on any of us!

jeni Fri 24-Aug-12 17:23:02

Hey! I'm a fragile flower! I don't want spleen vented on me!

Annobel Fri 24-Aug-12 17:24:28

Metaphorically, jeni!

jeni Fri 24-Aug-12 17:25:10

smile

Annika Fri 24-Aug-12 17:32:34

I'm chatty also and I'm am going out this evening with the 'girls' and we will spend the whole evening chatting , wonderful grin

kittylester Fri 24-Aug-12 17:36:57

But that won't be ELDERLY chatting, will it, Annika wine

Oldgreymare Fri 24-Aug-12 18:02:06

Oh gosh, all the time! petallus, and when I realise I'm in full flow I have to check myself by saying:
'But they don't want to hear that' or 'Too much information'.
If someone admires an item of clothing, I go into a lengthy explanation of where I bought it, how much it cost (usually a 'bargain' in a sale) how helpful the assistants were etc.
Note to the Birmingham Gathering:
I am very good at taking turns tho' smile

Barrow Fri 24-Aug-12 18:04:13

I am more of a listener - I find other people very interesting - I usually come away having learned something - even if it is only how awful their next door neighbour is (I always want to know why he/she is so awful and how the person I am talking too deals with it)

Littlenellie Fri 24-Aug-12 18:15:23

I am not elderly yet....am I....no.....that is the correct answer,
But I am a chatterbox,and like to draw people in,my son and I took his dog to the vets this afternoon,and before I knew it I was on paw shaking terms,with the patients and chatting away to the owners,the waiting room went from quiet to noisy in 2 seconds flat,....so when I am elderly ,I won't worry as I have always done it.we have Alan Carr chatty man...we also have Nelliedeane chatty woman....grin