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Is it just me? Grannies who go on endlessly about their grandchildren.

(80 Posts)
LRavenscroft Tue 30-Aug-22 14:16:50

Is it just me or are there other members on the board who get a little tired hearing about how marvellous other people's grandchildren are without any other conversation?

tanith Tue 30-Aug-22 14:18:55

Grannies are just proud if it bothers you don't read the threads that annoy you.

Vintagejazz Tue 30-Aug-22 14:22:00

I don't think OP is talking about threads on the board.

I agree OP. A bit of proud boasting is nice and normal. But anyone who bangs on endlessly about one Subject, treating you like a captive audience is annoying be that subject their children their job their health issues, their house renovations or whatever.

Smileless2012 Tue 30-Aug-22 14:22:56

I'm sure if we weren't estranged from our youngest son and only GC I'd be doing the same so no, it doesn't bother me.

grandtanteJE65 Tue 30-Aug-22 14:23:19

I imagine we all get tired of people who dominate a conversation with one topic and one topic only.

Like you, I find it tedious to listen to endless praise of other people's children or grandchildren, cats, dogs, etc with no enquires as to how mine are.

Even more soul-destroying do I find endless complaints about other women's husbands. There is after all no way I can usefully comment on the state of their marriages, and I certainly do not intend to join in with a list of the traits my own husband has at times annoyed me with.

You have two choices: either stop seeing these people or find some way of insisting upon changing the subject now and them.

nanna8 Tue 30-Aug-22 14:28:43

We are all proud of our grandchildren but most will flash the odd photo around and that’s it. I know someone who has no children or grandchildren and she flashes round photos of her dog. Fine by me, she is just proud of him. I think it is rather nice.

tanith Tue 30-Aug-22 14:29:35

Thanks Vintagejazz i get your meaning

Smileless2012 Tue 30-Aug-22 14:31:50

Glad it's not just me then nanna who proudly shows pics of our dogs.

karmalady Tue 30-Aug-22 14:32:37

some people, op, have nothing else to talk about, nothing much else in their lives. Very boring to other people

Blossoming Tue 30-Aug-22 14:39:12

I don’t mind hearing about other people’s children and grandchildren, they are obviously very proud and loving grandparents.

Lexisgranny Tue 30-Aug-22 14:40:23

Generally I’ve found it’s either grandchildren or health, personally I prefer the former, in moderation of course. I find whereas people don’t like to sound boastful about their children’s’ achievements, it is somehow more acceptable to take pride in the doings of grandchildren. Fortunately I must say I haven’t experienced it being the sole topic of conversation.

Nell8 Tue 30-Aug-22 14:46:28

Yes, LR , I agree. It gets even worse when the offender is competitive and feels the need to top any small success story one tries to share.

Callistemon21 Tue 30-Aug-22 14:51:38

Blossoming

I don’t mind hearing about other people’s children and grandchildren, they are obviously very proud and loving grandparents.

Me neither, especially as I know some of the DC and may have met the grandchildren too. I usually ask how they are anyway.

One friend doesn't let me get half a sentence out when she asks me how my my DC and DGC are before she talks over the top of me, telling me how wonderful all hers are!

However, as long as it's not the only topic of conversation, that's fine.

Callistemon21 Tue 30-Aug-22 14:52:20

Nell8

Yes, LR , I agree. It gets even worse when the offender is competitive and feels the need to top any small success story one tries to share.

X post, yes, that's it exactly

Farmor15 Tue 30-Aug-22 14:54:03

People who talk a lot about their grandchildren should be sensitive when chatting to others who have none and no prospects of any.

AGAA4 Tue 30-Aug-22 14:57:44

I suppose anyone who monopolises a conversation can become a bit tedious whether it's GCs dogs cats or hobbies. I think my GCs are wonderful but I don't talk about them with friends as I know they don't feel the same way.

Elegran Tue 30-Aug-22 14:58:45

If it is in Real Life, you just have to pre-stock your mind with as many other bits as conversation as you can think of whenever you plan to be in their company. Then, after they have had a little time to give you the latest highlights, but before it gets too repetitive and boring, you slip in one of your titbits of information, or your questions about some other (not grandchildren) subject and lead the talk down other avenues.

On Gransnet, it isn't a problem. You are not obliged to read any thread about what perfect grandchildren anyone has. There are many other subjects that you can move to instead. Plenty of choice - and if you are not thrilled by any of the topics on offer, you can start a new thread yourself. It is all up to you.

sodapop Tue 30-Aug-22 14:59:52

Nell8

Yes, LR , I agree. It gets even worse when the offender is competitive and feels the need to top any small success story one tries to share.

That is annoying and sometimes I feel the urge to say my grandchildren have just climbed Everest/become missionaries/ joined Mensa etc. There is a difference between being proud and bragging.

LRavenscroft Tue 30-Aug-22 15:01:02

Thank you for all your interesting and varied replies. I would agree with the 'in moderation group'. What I like about this board is that you always get a great cross section so one can see someone else's point of view too.

Calendargirl Tue 30-Aug-22 15:07:37

I have a good friend with one GC.

Obviously very proud, but she took no end of photos of him, and every time we met, you had to go through them, oohing and aahing.

Wasn’t just me, she did it with everybody.

Thank goodness he is older now, and not so many to view.

Norah Tue 30-Aug-22 15:13:59

I quietly wait my turn, talk to something different.

No problem, really.

SachaMac Tue 30-Aug-22 16:00:06

I don’t mind catching up on news about peoples GC, especially if I know the grandchildren in question. I have 6 GC and am very proud of them all but I also like to chat about other things.

I agree with Calendargirl around people who show you endless photographs of their GC. Nothing worse when you’re out for lunch in a group for example and there will always be someone who thrust their phone in your faces expecting you to go through a whole back log of pics. I feel the same about other peoples holiday photos.

M0nica Tue 30-Aug-22 16:23:55

I am one who finds people endlessly talking about grandchildren and showing you photos, endlessly boring.

Of course I want news when it is a close friend and I know the children and when there is a conversation where a reference to them is appropriate. But the endless bore. Mind you this also applies to pets, holidays and almost anything else someone is obsessed by.

I do not even have photos of my grandchildren on my phone, or anyone else for that matter, I know what my family look like and do not need to constantly remind myself.

crazyH Tue 30-Aug-22 16:34:28

My neighbour is the same, but when her stories (thankfully, no photos) about A and K are being repeated, I, very courteously, will say “yes B, I think you have mentioned this before’”,and then comes the reply “oh sorry H, I keep forgetting who I have told it to”?

Elizabeth27 Tue 30-Aug-22 16:46:14

I am fine hearing about something extraordinary, passing an exam, or if they are very ill, but it bores me rigid when it is about what they have eaten or something ‘cute’ that has been said and the endless photos of someone I am never going to meet is tedious.