I talk to old people sometimes, regularly in fact...

but have you ever been in a situation where it's been 2 hours, and they're not even telling stories, it's just mundane bullshit about how they picked out a pumpkin over and over again, but they don't even stop to take a breath, they just keep going and going. Yeah, how do you tell a miserable, lonely, old person that you just really have to go because frankly I don't feel like wasting hours of my life acting as Xanax?

Top | Newest First | Oldest First

LithiumDrop

Old people are gems. You can learn so much from those who’ve lived so much longer than you.

I listen to older people vent to me about their smallest/greatest problems at work. I enjoy listening to a much antiquated perspective.

We shouldn’t mind listening to someone who is so eager to engage in a conversation with us if they aren’t offending us.

Sometimes people just need to feel like they aren’t alone. People want to relate, especially those who aren’t generally approached by their community. Those who are considered a burden. Nobody wants to feel that way...

I also have work to do, but I will remain kind and patient while looking for a mannered excuse to continue with my focus.

Good on you

Xuan12 · 31-35, M

@LithiumDrop Thanks. I try, but really...she talked about her pumpkin 3 or 4 times, and talked for two hours without resting. I know she's lonely, but I can't be the cure all by myself.

SW-User

:( It is so sad to see that level of loneliness. You are good for listening as long as you do.

Xuan12 · 31-35, M

@SW-User I agree. I try to help. But I was trying to send signals and this woman just wouldn't stop. So eventually I just started slowly making my way to the door. Take a step, listen to a few more sentences, take another step. Eventually at the door. "Okay, well I have to go now." And she's still talking in mid-sentence as I walk out the door. 😢

bijouxbroussard · F

@Xuan12 That’s especially sad. A listener’s not even really required for her conversation.

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

I was a greeter at Walmart for over a year and I believe that some of the customers would come to the store just to get out of their lonely house and find someone to talk to, and I was the first person they saw...some would stand and talk for a half-hour.

View 1 more replies »

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

@Xuan12 Are you working in a store? I couldn't just walk away from them (unless I needed to clock out for lunch) because I had to stay at the door.

Xuan12 · 31-35, M

@cherokeepatti I work an ambulance. Sometimes people call and don't have a major problem, or any problem at all, they just wanted an excuse for a visit. So I try to be polite and if I can to listen for a little while. I fear I've encouraged her too much though. I overstayed.

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

@Xuan12 Oh yeah. When I worked at the university there was a student who would say she was having a health episode and call 9-1-1. They'd send an ambulance. She lived on the 4th floor of a dorm that had no elevator and it was a metal staircase which made it hard to maneuver a stretcher with a person on it, a heavy young woman at that. They got wise to her and about the 5th time they were bumping the stretcher all the way down the stairs making quite a bit of noise as they carried her down. Last time she ever called.

SW-User

Elderly people can often feel invisible and ignored so it’s always good to give them time. You could perhaps be the only person they’ve had a conversation with all day.

Caprice · 41-45, F

You can only give so much. Good for you for at least putting in the effort👍
I have no idea how you kindly break away. I still struggle with that:/

4meAndyou · F

I worked with alzheimers and dementia patients, so I know exactly what you mean. I remember being shocked when I found out the history of some of them. One person had been a Congressional aide and worked for a famous politician. When working with people who have dementia, they have very sharp memories for anything that happened in their childhood, so you should always ask them questions about their childhood.

Sarabee · 41-45

Well start talking🌹

Xuan12 · 31-35, M

@Sarabee Easier said than done, she doesn't close her mouth, and has no qualms about talking over you either. Really, she's quite rude...she's just begging for attention, I know, but seriously. And yeah, I've tried getting her to take up a hobby or find some focused topic to talk about so we don't have to go over how much she likes her new kitchen table 7 times. Hmmm.... must be something. 🤔

Sarabee · 41-45

@Xuan12 home interior designer🌹

bijouxbroussard · F

Yeah. As I get closer to that side of it I wonder if it’s just a ‘thing’ about getting old where the brain goes into a loop. Pop has to catch himself or he’ll fixate on a small detail (“but y’know, people sometimes do that, not this way or that way but the other way, when I was a kid they didn’t do it that way—“) and I’ll say “Pop !” and he snaps out of it. Or Mom repeating stories. I don’t look forward to that. I try to be really patient, since I love them and they’re still sharper than most.

Add a comment...