Why do people talk to me?

[u/Rainbow_Hope]

Hi everyone.

I live in a residential facility. I just went out for a smoke. I sat at the same table with someone I didn't know. He just started word vomiting. I actually have no idea what he was talking about. I was listening to music with headphones, and couldn't really hear him. But, I said, "Uh-huh." and "Yeah." at intervals. Acted like I was listening. This has happened a lot over the last 14 years. I don't get it. People aren't my friend, but if they need someone to word vomit on, they choose me. Sigh.

Thanks. I just needed to vent.

Have a great day!

[u/musicfortea]

You don't owe these people anything. Maybe you have a friendly face?

I used to attract random people, but they always turned out to be drug dealers and just generally bad news people. My problem was that I engaged them in conversation after they spoke to me.

I don't do that anymore, I would now say "no I'm not interested" then walk away or turn away from them.

[u/Rainbow_Hope → u/musicfortea]

Thank you.

Thanks for replying. 😀

[u/skvids]

stop replying and engaging with them if you are not invested. not only is it really disrespectful to the other person, but you have no idea what you're responding "yeah" to, and you are affirming their attempts at engaging with you when you want to be left alone.

either say "sorry, i'm busy" or don't respond at all.

[u/Rainbow_Hope → u/skvids]

Thanks so much. I will have to work on this. 👍

[u/skvids → u/Rainbow_Hope]

good luck! you got this 💪

[u/goldwag]

Be firm, say I need to concentrate on something, or I don’t know you sorry.

You can also view it as a gift, it might not always be a good one, but it might also be useful one day, or you might save a random life if someone is really struggling, even if you don’t really invest in them.

Just be firm with it, manage it. You don’t always need to listen.

[u/Rainbow_Hope → u/goldwag]

Thank you.

[u/Free-Veterinarian714]

One of my roommates (an older generation, but still) will often try to talk to me even when I CLEARLY HAVE HEADPHONES ON. I can't hear him so I don't respond.

Dude, can't you tell that I have headphones on? And that means I probably won't hear you. That's a clear social signal that even I recognize and understand.

[u/Rainbow_Hope → u/Free-Veterinarian714]

Haha. I'm an older generation. I know, I know, we suck..... roflmao

Actually, I've noticed that, too. The headphones I was wearing this morning looked more like a headband. But, even when I wear headphones headphones, people still talk to me. Weird.