How Do You Deal with Talkative Strangers?

Updated on August 18, 2014
J.A. asks from Cartersville, GA
13 answers

I don't converse with adults much, beyond the chit-chat level anyway. So here we are in an extended stay hotel surrounded by strangers from all walks of life. In just a week we're leaving for GA! :) Anyway, I was just outside with my daughters when an older gentleman walked up to me and just started ramblng. Tells me his wife died in his arms. But before that they did this or that. They were married over 30 years. Just very odd conversation from a complete stranger. I was left speechless.oddly enough the same scenario happened to me a few weeks ago at the laundromat. A man older than me stopped me outside and pretty much told me his whole life story. He was divorced. His ex got pregnant by another man before she left him. She was an evil human being. The works. I've had women do it to me, too, but those cases have been a bit more mild. Every single time this happens I have absolutely no clue how to respond.

So here's my question - When a stranger goes all TMI on you, how do you respond?

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Thanks for the insight everyone.

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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

This happens to me all the time in the grocery store, the mall, or places like Walmart. I just listen politely and nod and smile. After a few minutes, I'll nicely excuse myself, letting the person know that I have to get going, usually with some clever joke- you know, leave them with a smile.
Most of the time, these people are lonely and I do have compassion. I have a special ability to tell between a lonely person and a creepster. For the latter, I just move on and not make eye contact.

7 moms found this helpful

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H.W.

answers from Portland on

I understand that sometimes things can get uncomfortable quickly. A couple years ago, waiting for the bus, a person who obviously had intellectual and social challenges came up to me, smile on her face, and told me how she was recently raped. It was a hard moment, but I figured that she really was processing in her way. She was too simple to understand that this wasn't really ever spoken about in public, certainly not with strangers. She probably just saw me, thought I seemed nice with a toddler child, and felt safe.

Reflective listening techniques, simple validation, are what I do in that situation when the person seems relatively safe.

There are a lot of hurt people who don't have resources and haven't been taught boundaries. Some are just lonely. I ride the bus and have heard a lot of stories-- none of them solicited. Like Mama Duck, it's easy to tell who is just socially inept and who is perhaps under the influence and/or worth being wary of. I let those gut instincts guide me and have been fine. An older man sharing a memory of the love of his life is just about the most benign of those interactions-- I would be a bit touched, honestly. When someone is expressing the tenderness of their heart-- it's hard to sit with their sadness, but what a blessing, sometimes, to have that opportunity too.

I would hope that if I was so desperate for someone to talk to, the world would be kind to me. You never know what life will throw at you.

16 moms found this helpful
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K.F.

answers from Salinas on

When stuff like that happens to me I listen and respond appropriately. I try to offer some kindness and compassion. This does happen to my family quite a bit. While I'm a talker in my regular life I am pretty private and find myself listening more when a stranger starts talking.

I have walked away better for having listened many, many times. I have heard stories of world travel, love lost, fortunes made, sickness, bad times and good. I have learned to not judge a book by it's cover and that most everyone has something to contribute to the world. I believe we are all connected and these interactions are part of what reminds me of that fact and to always stay open and receptive to what's going on around me.

You can always make an excuse and leave but maybe a few minutes of your time helped this guy feel connected to the human race in a way he really needed. The world is full of lonely people and some of them are the most interesting people you will ever speak to.

11 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Wouldn't bother me at all...I love to hear people's story although I am not quick to share mine. I think sometimes people just need to get things off their chest and hopefully just the small act of really listening to them and saying "I am sorry you went through that" helps them in some small way. Have you checked out the FB page "Humans of New York" or seen the book? LOVE it, really great stuff!!!

10 moms found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

For the old guy, I really wouldn't mind unless I was in a hurry. He was probably just lonely and needed to talk it out.

You might just have a very friendly face or maybe you have a comforting vibe to you and so people like to talk.

I really wouldn't mind it. People are always so rude to others and it's nice to hear when people are actually nice and talk to each other.

7 moms found this helpful
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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Personally, I find it more disturbing when someone I know "goes all TMI" on me!
As for strangers, I'll usually just listen--sometimes it's just cathartic to talk to a stander I guess. I figure maybe I'm what they need in that moment if time for whatever reason.
The man whose wife died in his arms? I would find that story crushing. Poor guy. :(
If I'm very short on time, I try to acknowledge their situation or their point and say "I've gotta run, but enjoy your day/night/dinner/book."
I'm chatty, so it doesn't bother me too much when people start to go on...

7 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

"Wow! I'm so sorry - that must have been horrible. Did you try a grief support group? It's not too late to give it a try. Just Google it and find a group. Hope you feel better soon.".
Basically I try to show some sympathy and let them know I'm not qualified to help them but they should seek out some help or a group that IS qualified to help them.
If it turns to a sob story begging session (some pan handlers try it) I say 'No, I can't help' and walk away and if they follow I threaten to call the cops.

6 moms found this helpful
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E.E.

answers from Denver on

Where are you now? Are you already in the South East? If so, this is gonna happen a LOT. :)

A lot depends on my mood and if the person just seems to need someone to speak to - or if they are trying to manipulate me.

In the scenarios you state, I guess I'd say "I am so sorry that happened to you" or "I'm so sorry for your loss" ...and move on.

5 moms found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Maybe not knowing what to say is the problem. Perhaps you are a wonderful listener, so they keep spilling it.

4 moms found this helpful
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I.O.

answers from McAllen on

I characterize myself as an introvert. I typically do not enjoy talking to strangers. That's my issue, though. I also have a responsibility to recognize that sometimes people will be drawn to me, for various reasons. Since I claim to understand that we are all connected and are supposed to love each other, then I have to sometimes open myself to these opportunities to actively assist with their journeys. I can't expect it to be the other way around only. Sometimes I feel drawn to people for unexplainable reasons; I wouldn't want them to be anything less than welcoming to me.

There's a reason that someone would just walk up to you and share intimate information. Depending on your personality, it might serve you well to assume that something beautiful and warm and sweet in you is attracting those parts of them. Don't put yourself out, but allow yourself to be used in that way to help somebody along to the next point, whatever that may be.

Oh, wait--you asked how I respond. Sometimes I'm so caught up in my needs that I make myself unavailable to hear them. Either they think better of approaching me at all, or I make some excuse to walk away. I don't think of it as right or wrong.

3 moms found this helpful

V.S.

answers from Reading on

I would imagine people end up in those hotels for all sorts of reasons, loss being a major one. That poor man just needed a friendly ear. When that happens, I listen.

3 moms found this helpful
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F.B.

answers from New York on

Try saying- "sound's like you are starting to tell me a very personal story and we've only just met."

Sometimes the observation alone, will prompt people to stop in their tracks.

Best,
F. B.

3 moms found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

I love talking to strangers. It annoys my kids because I talk to everyone!

1 mom found this helpful
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