Gransnet forums

Relationships

Relationship problem - verbosity!

(27 Posts)
GagaJo Fri 15-Apr-22 16:21:28

Or in other words, he won't shut up!

I have a hectic daily life. Full-time childcare for DGS. Working full-time from home too. So the little free time I have, that I spend with my bloke, is down time for me. But for him, it is company (he lives alone). So when we're together, he talks. Non-stop.

It does my head in! I'm a quiet type anyway. But on top of full-time granny and work, I just need some peace and quiet.

I've been polite about it, I've dropped hints, told him, made jokes and explained. Yet still. Yakkety yak yak. He's doing my bl**dy head in!

crazyH Fri 15-Apr-22 16:30:12

????- I can hear the sound of love from your post. I have a neighbour who’s like that. So when I’m not in a mood to listen to her, I just don’t answer the door. ?

Curlywhirly Fri 15-Apr-22 16:36:46

Oh be careful what you wish for! I would much prefer a chatty affable partner, than a moody, silent one!

GagaJo Fri 15-Apr-22 16:38:57

I know, I know. But honestly, he could talk through anything (and does!). He even talks at me while I'm trying to lesson plan.

He's a kind man, but...

AGAA4 Fri 15-Apr-22 16:45:17

It is wearing isn't it? I have someone like that who visits and I realise when she's gone that I haven't said anything. At least she does go but on a regular basis it would be hard going.

GagaJo Fri 15-Apr-22 16:46:55

It is sometimes the case that I have free time, but I don't spend it with him, because I need some peace and quiet. Which I find very sad.

OnwardandUpward Fri 15-Apr-22 16:52:44

That's a shame. Have you tried explaining this?

It is exhausting being around people who talk at you or dont take emotional cues.

AreWeThereYet Fri 15-Apr-22 16:57:34

My sympathies Gagajo I know exactly what you mean ?

MrA has spates when he chats about everything and nothing, and I don't do small talk and general chit-chat. I can sit very happily for hours and not say a word. Sometimes he just gets 'the look' and he says 'Am I babbling? OK I'll shut up now' and laughs. In return for his understanding and good humour I try to listen 95% of the time and be interested ?

Chloejo Fri 15-Apr-22 17:05:41

I know someone like that annoying when ur trying to listen to music and just want to chill out in the garden. It’s because he has been alone a lot and gets over enthusiastic with having u to chat to.

Callistemon21 Fri 15-Apr-22 17:31:21

Some people have to fill the silence for some reason.
I quite like companionable silence sometimes.
Well, a lot of the time.

Casdon Fri 15-Apr-22 17:35:21

It’s not sad to want to spend time on your own though GagaJo, it’s quite normal, most people do.

GagaJo Fri 15-Apr-22 17:44:12

Oh no, I know that Casdon. Love a bit But it would be nice for him if I spent more time with him, because he lives alone. But sometimes I just need a bit of silence!

GagaJo Fri 15-Apr-22 17:44:30

Should say, I love a bit of alone time.

glammanana Fri 15-Apr-22 19:08:28

GagaJo I love me time and be very happy being on my own,my next door neighbour however calls in and then for the next couple of hours she never stops to draw breath I sometimes think when she goes home that I may have gone deaf.

timetogo2016 Fri 15-Apr-22 19:22:02

I know exactly where you are coming from GagaJo.
I have actually told Dh that he will never suffer from lockjaw as it hasn`t time to lock.
I also had a sister who would phone and i could never get a word in, to the degree that i could go into the kitchen,make tea and toast and she never noticed.

Teacheranne Fri 15-Apr-22 19:28:49

I’m afraid I’m one of those people who talks a lot! I have learnt to shut up sometimes to let others get a word in so I hope I’m not too awful to be with but I do babble away! I even talk in my sleep, my sisters used to complain about me when we shared a room!

I can’t blame it on living alone, even when married with a family I talked a lot. It’s odd really as I do enjoy silence around me and don’t have the radio or tv on as background noise when alone, I’m happy to just read or go on my iPad.

Marydoll Fri 15-Apr-22 19:42:19

I know someone like that, ME! I'm sure the Glesca Grannies, will testify to that! blush

I drive Mr MD mad, especially as he is a man of no words. grin

ExDancer Fri 15-Apr-22 19:43:48

Living with a moody silent partner is another 'hell on earth' situation believe me.
We are in our 80s but DH still works so he sees and talks to people all day long, I'm disabled and alone at home all day long, every day, apart from one afternoon a week when I attend a hydrotherapy pool.
Evenings are spent in silence in front of the TV, questions are answered by grunts or monosyllabic yes/no. I could scream just to fill the silence at times. I long for someone to talk to.

Could you buy earphones and pretend to plug into your computer for some peace and quiet?

VioletSky Fri 15-Apr-22 19:45:44

I'm trying really hard to think of activities you could do that don't work with talking lol

Does he talk through movies? That would drive me crazy...

Unless we are talking about, who is that? Isn't that thingy from thingy? You know that movie where they went on that bus and it blew up and there was that guy in an orange hat, what was that movie called?

Can't seem to help that one and then miss the film trying to Google with only "thingy from thingy" to go on

Callistemon21 Fri 15-Apr-22 20:20:04

Chess?
It can involve a lot of quiet thinking.

OnwardandUpward Fri 15-Apr-22 22:19:27

Just a thought, but does he respect your personal space and need for silence if you ask him?

There are people who despite living alone and being lonely a lot, are able to respect other people's needs and wishes. If he does not, cannot, or wants more than you can give, perhaps he's not the one for you. Usually relationships are better at the beginning , so if there are huge differences like this, it could be a red flag if it can't be resolved with good communication.

nadateturbe Fri 15-Apr-22 23:14:59

I just tell my husband if he's talking too much, which he does frequently. I think honesty is the best approach. I tell him what he's saying is very interesting but sometimes I just need quietness.
He and I can both disappear to our own rooms for hours too. No offence taken.

Violetsky my husband does those things. He will also say while we're watching something, I saw that actor in a film and then proceed to tell me all about the film he saw. I have actually lost patience with him, but I can't cope with all the interruptions.

Redhead56 Sat 16-Apr-22 00:08:33

Either have a talk to him or don a pair of ear muffs is my advice.
My husband wasn't a mixer with outsiders he didn't like people knowing our business. He used to say to me is there anyone around here you don't know I did the dog walking then.
When he retired he took over the main dog walking because I was helping with grandchildren.
He has come out of his shell since and made lots of friends. It's lovely in the morning I am sitting in bed with my iPad and a mug of tea. He stands at the door telling me everyone he's met and what the dogs were up too. I can't complain I get my quiet time while he is out.

Allsorts Sun 17-Apr-22 14:07:56

You have my sympathies GaraJo, I would have to ask him to shut up for a bit or take a lot of solitary walk and sit in coffee bars.

Buttonjugs Sun 17-Apr-22 14:19:13

I think the problem might be looking after grandchildren AND working full time? That sounds like a ridiculous responsibility, no wonder you crave quiet.. but it not his fault.