Meeting new people who only talk about themselves

I've been to a master class on this. What I do now is have a little book at home and every time I meet someone who talks only about themselves I write a little note in the book and give the person a code. i.e. if it is at the yacht club, I'll call them Mr or Mrs Sailor or if at botany group Mr or Mrs Ragwort and then jot down they spoke all about themselves or their marvellous people, or wealth etc. etc. It does not identify them but it certainly makes me feel better and makes me laugh when I look at the notes months later. It is not you, it is their complete lack of conversational/social skills. But then again, you sometimes meet someone who is socially aware, has great conversational skills and you jot that down in your book as a joyous interlude.

I went for a weekend on my own to Donegal. When people at the next table about 8 of them, saw I was on my own they insisted I join them.
When I went to pay the bill they had paid it. They invited me back to their house but I didn't go.

It's definitely not you Optimistic it seems to be very common now as we seem to have lost the art of conversation which should be like a tennis match I was told. What do would also say is don't stay in a golf related hotel as we just did in Portugal. When they aren't playing large groups of me were drinking heavily, swearing profusely and playing loud water polo when everyone wanted a snooze in the afternoons. The swearing was monumental. I was ashamed to call myself a golfer.

We had a woman at an event recently. We are going to call her Mrs. Kipling from now on. I believe she makes exceedingly good cakes and can spot one with cornflour and baking powder from a mile away!
Anyway we were treated to a masterclass in cake making and my colleague (whose business is making cakes) managed to smile and nod in all the right places.

Could you pal up with the travel company rep or whoever is in charge of your group? You could ask them about the interesting places in the vicinity and get inside information about the local specialities or sights.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and advice and for making me smile. Glad it's not just me! I will take on board the trying to speak to a few of the other people and see how that goes. I was just cross with myself last night for letting it get to me but you have all reminded me that most people do like to talk about themselves given half the chance!

Know what you mean, probably better holidaying alone as on a Solo you're stuck for the duration, long lost friend/aquaintance when I speak to her on the phone is all about her latest ailment, 59 minutes Friday.

If people go on a solo holiday it's usually because they are single.
Therefore they only have themself to talk about and there opinions to express. What else are they going to talk about?? They could also be anxious and feel like they have to keep the conversation going or as someone else said perhaps they are lonely and don't get out much so go into overdrive trying to appear interesting to others. They could of course just be selfish rude people. 🤔🤔

nanna8

Met one last week and was unfortunate enough to sit next to her at a function. Now I know I won’t sit near her again ! She was a shocker, all about me me me.

Hi and they don’t appear/seem to notice do they, astounding really. They simply rabbit on!

Met one last week and was unfortunate enough to sit next to her at a function. Now I know I won’t sit near her again ! She was a shocker, all about me me me.

keepingquiet

Reminds me of a time I was at a table with a load of strangers. One woman said she could tell which women made their gravy from scratch and which made it from granules... I had nothing to contribute to that conversation.

🤣

Sadly I think that so many people find themselves interesting, they assume others will as well. Isn’t it the most boring situation to be in, when one person doesn’t know when to shut up! I tend to excuse myself, life’s too short.

Optomistic1 - no you’re not boring, sadly are surrounded by a rather rude self-centred lot. I hope you find someone with things in common to chat with. Ignore the others, don’t let them spoil your holiday. I hope things pick up and you enjoy yourself.

Reminds me of a time I was at a table with a load of strangers. One woman said she could tell which women made their gravy from scratch and which made it from granules... I had nothing to contribute to that conversation.

That’s such a shame Optimistic1. I’m sorry it’s spoiling your holiday. As Elre1 has suggested, are there any others who are quiet like you? Start a conversation with them. That would be the best plan.
I suppose some people on solo holidays are often lonely, and don’t get the chance to talk much. No consolation for you, but I would try to look at it from that perspective. Some people sadly just don’t think. 💐

The best solo holidays I ever went on were with alone. Then I had only myself to bore.

I once made the mistake of going solo on a NIle cruise with a bunch of Brits. The cruise was from Luxor to Aswan and back. I joined at Aswan and they had all got into their little cliques. At dinner not one of the couples had the basic good manners to ask if Id like to share a bottle of wine. So I ordered my own and got the crew to keep half til the following night as I cant drink a bottle on my own. Had my table mates been American they would have automatically included me. Americans can be a bit loud when they travel but they are much more hospitable to solo fellow travellers.

Can you perhaps initiate conversation one to one with one of the quieter people? Others are probably becoming irritated by the dominant ones too. I hope things improve and you are able to enjoy your holiday.