[salukigirl]

Seems like everyone knows at least one person who is just such a Debbie Downer. It's like they never truly listen to you, they're always thinking about what THEY can say.

I have mentioned before that I won't run myself into the ground trying to pay for my kids' college. I am over 75,000 in debt from college and think it's kind of good for kids to learn the value of paying for their own education. Well then today I said "joining the army as an officer allows you a certain number towards a college education which means I could basically send my kids to school." Instead of "that's awesome!" or even "oh, really?" I get a "this coming from the girl who said she refuses to pay for her kid's college?"

Or when they're waiting on revisions for a publication and I say "I got my revisions back for my FIRST publication ever!" No "awesome!" or "good job!" I get a "must be nice".

What is it with some people who just can't listen and always focus on some bad aspect of a story? The one upper. The person who, no matter how much great news you have, they find a way to make it about themselves or something bad that has happened to them. Does anyone else know a person like this? It's so annoying! It's like I can't just have one good thing. There always has to be a follow up.

[Leed]

Oh yes, I know several people like that -- it seems I attract people that are like that. They call on the phone to "chat" and when I get a chance to say anything, I'll get a "uh huh" and then they'll immediately change the subject to something THEY want to talk about. It won't matter if I tell them a relative died or something --- it's like they never heard me in the first place. One of these days, I'm going to get the guts up to ask these bozo's why they bothered to call me in the first place!!! They could do just as good talking into a mirror!!!

So I know exactly what you mean, and YES it's maddening. Some people just don't know how to communicate - or else don't give a darn. In most cases it's the latter -- and they just like to hear themselves talk. God bless. Hugs, Lee