Meeting new people who only talk about themselves

Thankfully not!!!!

Was it Wee Jimmy Crankie?

I wasn't on holiday, but about to sit quietly, on my own in a cafe for my lunch, with a book.

I met the uncle of a famous comedian, who told me ALL about his nephew for around two hours.

The worst of it was that the uncle had the exact same squeaky voice that his nephew was famous for!

If you are feeling that, rest assured some other quiet person, or persons, is/are feeling the same. These big mouths are responsible for a lot of isolation, as people feel overwhelmed. Keep your eyes open for someone else to talk to - it's often the least likely who come up trumps!

Vintagewhine

Sadly some lonely people lose the ability to converse and just talk at others. I phone my sister on a monthly basis just to check she's ok but always have a magazine to hand. She can talk non stop about cooking and cleaning whilst I read my mag. Occasionally she'll stop just to check I'm still there. Difficult to do at a dinner table though!

I have a sister like yours, Vintagewine. I take the opportunity to doze, and just say “mmm” agreeably whenever there’s a brief gap in the flow of words. I love her dearly though…

They are such bores! Time to wander off and find more interesting people.

I recently went a charity lunch.
I was with two friends and we were sat on a table with an elderly couple and another elderly lady in her own.

The man sat next to me and said ‘we’re lucky to be on the organisers table’. I said ‘you’re extra lucky because you’re sitting next to me’ . Ha ha! Well that was that…. He didn’t stop talking just to me. I had his whole life history and more. I didn’t get a chance to speak to my friends and he completely ignored his wife (who had dementia) and their friend. I just nodded and smiled, oooed and arred in appropriate places . 🥱😴.

I’ll be careful what I say next time, when trying to be friendly to a stranger. 🤣

If I'm in this situation I tend to sit back and watch the group dynamics.. it can be fascinating.. I prefer being in a small group so would probably talk to the person I found most interesting when out on one of the trips..

Well done for going on a solo holiday . My late fil went on coach holidays after my mil died . He could talk for England and was very engaging . Everyone liked him and because there were fewer men on these trips , the women were queuing up to sit next to him.
Are there men on this trip ?
I think monopolising a conversation and talking about yourself is an age thing . I retired two years ago and have found the people droning on about themselves are older and often live alone and are maybe lonely or anxious. One lady I know always has to fill any gaps in the conversation. I just sit and listen .
The ones who drive me nuts though are those who ask about my AC, holiday , elderly DM , I get one sentence out and then they interrupt and tell me about their AC , holiday , elderly DM !!!

I think half my problem is that I too friendly and interested in people and smile and nod too much! They therefore want to tell me everything! As I have said before glad it's not just me!

Maybe I will try a cruise next on my own ? At least as others have said there are lots of other people on there.

I have a friend who talks incessantly about her ailments. I once fell asleep during her monologue. She’s quite lonely I think. Son and daughter and grandchildren live far away.

I go on cruises on my own quite a lot, and there are always people who just love banging on about themselves. But I find there's a lot of quiet private amusement to be had as I sit listening to these bores and wonder why on earth they think their lives are so fascinating to others. People are a source of endless entertainment if you let them run on, and as I have little interest in talking about myself, I am happy to listen as they unwittingly provide gems for me to store up for future amusement (as a previous poster does). It really is amazing how many people are completely un-self aware and quite happy to bore away with endless tales of their doings - never a thought for anyone else. Hilarious!

It’s not you,some people are loud & constantly take over the conversation——— I once dropped out of a fun group I was in as I found I was no longer enjoying it as one lady talked non stop & no one else got a word in——-look for some one who is also sidelined & chat to them,good luck.

Optomistic1 I admire your courage, I have holidayed with female friends a few times and we have always welcomed solo ladies into our group. At the end of the holiday they have always said what a great time they’ve had with us. Are there any groups of ladies you could perhaps pal up with?
I’ve just recently returned from a cruise and totally understand where you are coming from regarding folk banging on about themselves and in particular their past holidays - they don’t seem to be aware of how boring they are. One woman gave a monologue about some holiday to Tuscany for about 25 minutes. I lost the will to live and left the dinner table as soon as I could - avoided her and her odious husband for the rest of the trip - I wasn’t the only one either! Don’t give up on your holiday - just be thankful you don’t have to live with such tedious folk😁

Yes and their animals.

I have only ventured on one coach holiday solo so far. I had a seat to myself on the coach so was not stuck next to anyone. We sat at the same tables for each meal which seemed to work, though I did sometimes wish we could have swapped places. Apart from that, on visits I went around happily on my own. Everyone seemed very friendly but never overbearing, thankfully. I’ll see what the next trip is like. Same coach company,

I think people who live alone are grateful to have someone to listen to them talk about themselves! Try looking for someone not in a group and go from there. Are you being open and friendly? It hard but put yourself forward!

I had a so called friend like that. In the end I gave up on her after giving it a year, I tried very hard. But was so annoying as when I was speaking she would cut you dead and go back to her again. To be honest I don’t know why I even gave it a year. 🤣🤣

my reply to the comment re the gravy person would have been that I can tell rude and arrogant people from one sentence!!

Thank you once again everyone for your such kind comments. I laughed out loud about the interesting facts one and the people who were Nobel peace winners!!! Maybe I should make something up!

Anyway largely thanks to you kind people I feel much better today and have taken on board your advice and ‘aligned’ myself to a quieter normal lady who is lovely. I have managed to avoid the loud mouths so far today ( interesting enough one of the, loves to talk publicly about her known mental health problems!) . We are only on day 3 and the group is going through the norm in formin stormin stages and the tour guide can see what is happening I think.
I just didn’t think a solo holiday would be this stressful! I will stick to a cruise or hotel on my own next time. Like many of you am quite happy with my own company but just thought this would take me out of my comfort zone ( which it has)

I am turning it into a positive and being grateful for the fact that for a week I don’t need to cook, wash etc and am being very well looked after and eating lovely food. Thank again everyone.

Ps 😀. Maybe smile and nod. Be friendly

....looking beyond the initial intros often at mealtimes, you can even click with someone
I had a great laugh with a fellow traveller and had a companion at a bar after etc. Go for it.

Iv done solo hols and solo on own hols. I prefer with others as can take it or leave it but know there's company if needed, it doesn't concern me if others chat about themselves I respond accordingly and mention about me too I think it's true it can be from a nervousness .... I find that once you are out and about looking at sites whatever, the conversation improves as you discuss the sites

Wear a tiny badge, asking -
"Now I know a little bit about
you....would you now like to listen? "
Point your finger casually at it, if it doesn't look like they've noticed.

If they don't want to look or
listen - you know what to do next..

I went abroad for the first time in 1976, and I went alone. have to say it was the best thing I ever did. I was with a group of others of a similar age, and there wasn't one person who behaved like that.

Talking about ones self at length seems to be a symptom of old age, when you have lived so many years of a very interesting life and you have to tell everyone you meet, and no-one you meet could possibly have had such an extraordinary life. Well - those talkers haven't learned the art of making friends.