Ok. This is normal to some degree, right? People talk to their pets and don't expect an answer per se. Maybe a word of encouragement to a plant. Or "what on earth did I come in here for?" No problem.

Here's why I ask. If the above were all I did, it wouldn't phase. I've recently become aware of just how much I talk to myself and inanimate objects. I've always known I've done it to some degree, but only in moderation, and I mostly reined it in when anyone else was around. But the awareness has dawned that I do this almost constantly. And other people being around doesn't seem to slow it much anymore. I'd be embarrassed, except I suspect I'm fairly often not aware of it. Catch myself sometimes, but realizing just how much I do it, I suspect there are many times I don't. Pets, sure. Teddy bear. A lot. Laughing to jokes that are only in my head and saying rhymey random goofy things. But really, who needs to talk tell Mr. Pillow, "There you are! All fluffed up!" (like that sort of thing, or telling a tool that it is being "uncooperative today" or de-crystalizing those plastic honey bears and making a 'honey bear hot tub' complete with bobbing and conversation) as a running dialogue? (Um, monologue. They don't answer. Thank goodness. But that doesn't mean that I won't give them a voice and "make" a conversation. Do that all the time. Wow. This looks even worse written out. Good grief.) Ok. Honey bear hot tub is funny and amuses me. It's the stupid stuff with no point, not even amusement.

WTH is this???!!! I know I'm isolated now, but even when I did see more people (like when I was working) I did it too. And I'm quite shy and often say nothing at all. Any ideas? Seriously. Please. I don't want to do it, but can't seem to shut up. (And ideas of how to shut up are fine, but I'm most curious about *why* I do this or what it might be associated with.)

(Edited to note that I don't do this on busses, almost never in stores, but more familiar places like home --constantly-- and work -- quite frequently or outside, especially to plants. And animals of course. But that's normal.)