Perhaps someone can help me with this problem which has me befuddled to the point of feeling hurt and angry?

Question

I have an acquaintance who is okay for most, but he has a very annoying habit which pops up every time we talk on the phone.
I don't see him often, because my lifestyle is very reclusive . . the annoyance is this : We'll be talking in a friendly, informative way and I begin to feel comfortable. He'll tell me in GREAT detail what is happening in his life. I always listen very politely and patiently. When he asks how my life is going, however, he cuts me off very rudely by saying "get to the point", "I'm not interested in that", Goodnight Grace, I'm bored with this conversation" or all of a sudden he'll hang up without giving notice or reason for doing so. I believe in reciprocity, but it seems this person ONLY wants to talk about himself, his life. As far as I feel I am walking on egg shells which will break and he'll rudely hang up.
I now believe he is very narcissistic, and should just have a talk with himself in front of the mirror. But he'll call and call! How do I detach myself?

Answer 1

Hey Grace,

I feel the best way to deal with this situation in my opinion is to tell him what you feel and what you're looking in a friend. You gotto explain or tell him that you looking for a friend who equally is involved in listening as much as he is in talking. At times you want to share your story but coz he's busy rattling his you feel incomplete with this relationship. Tell him that you don't see any compatibility long term in this relationship, and hence you would appreciate if he doesn't call. Tell him that you don't intend to be rude here but it's just that you want to make things clear before they take up any shape without dimensions. Be very polite, be very calm and get straight to the point this time LOL.

Henry

Answer 2

Clearly, friendship with this person is a one way street. This is simple. Don't respond to him. Ever. If he ever does run into you on the street, or sees you in a restaurant and comes up to you and asks why you never call or answer his calls, you can simply say, Goodnight Grace, I'm bored with you. Then turn away and order the chocolate souffle. Now put this person out of your mind, and get about the business of finding someone who treats
you well.

Answer 3

Don't call him and if he calls you, insist on telling about your life first. If he's rude then make some excuse when it's his turn to talk. If he usurps the conversation, make some excuse about having to go. Either he'll get the idea or he won't. Either way, you don't have to hear about his crap without him hearing about yours.
You could tell him how rude he is, but then he'd just grudgingly sit through your talk and there won't be much conversation anyway.

Answer 4

I think Henry got it right be polite but tell him straight to the point you want a relationship where you can also talk and no your not being treated nicely or fairly get rid of the self centred person you don.t need it in your life They only ever think of themselves
Good luck

Answer 5

Play him the song "I wanna talk about me" by Toby Keith. If it's a phone relationship, you can just block the phone number. That way you don't have to put up with all the crap, and get on with your happy life.

Answer 6

Dump him.
He is a egotistical or a control freak.
Next time he calls don't answer the phone and change your message to: "Hi I can't come to the phone right now I am busy with my new boyfriend please leave a message."

Answer 7

This happens because you are the only person who listens to him. Everybody else knew what to do.
Have the courage to spell it out to him.

Answer 8

you enable the jerk, just excuse yourself abruptly a few times and he should get the message, no matter, it does not seem to be good for you in any way.

Answer 9

Just stop having time to talk to him.

Answer 10

Get caller ID or change your number.