Is there a polite way to get around this?

Question

I have a family member that tells the same tedious stories over and over and over and over (I could recite them back).
Is there a polite way to stop them or should I simply smile and nod at appropriate moments?

They are older but still very very sharp

Answer 1

Most of the answers already posted provide good advice regarding a family member who is getting on in years. A lot of elderly are living in the past, especially if they are now physically restricted , can't get out as much, and unfortunately their lives are now rather dull. The first time around maybe those stories were pretty wild! Perhaps you should ask your relative a preemptive question next time you feel a re-run about to start. Ask about some aspect about their day to day life "back then" or what they thought about a particular world event. Who knows, maybe a new fascinating story will surface!

Answer 2

well you could take initiative and tell your own tedious stories and see how that member reacts...or you could just make sure that the doesn't have time to speak...and if you know that he will get offended if you tell him to stop, then just nod and agree. i have a problem with a member like that and when he tells those stories i start to drink alcohol..after a while i don't care anymore...

Answer 3

I think it depends on the age of the family member. If they are elderly then I think you have to put up with it really. All old people seem to have this habit just due to the fact that they do not remember the last time they told you the story.
If however they are quite young then I would just cut them short and say "Oh yes I remember you telling me about this before!"

Answer 4

Yep, got one of those myself! I just act like the little toy pooch on the back window of the car and nod vicariously. It's a character flaw in them. If we attempt to rectify that error then they get steamed and we lose another family member to words best left unsaid.

Answer 5

Nice pic. ragdoll floozie,Nice ans. here except for floddy and I had to laugh when I saw it, the more or less humor into it,Imagine the response from that one.lol . Think though how fortunate U are to have a family around you telling storries or tales at all. If U can though somehow in fun beat them to a point and poke him /her in the ribs and and share a laugh about it, u may have to do it several times with not too many people around .Their stories or experences are important to them and its sharing when they relate them,you gotta love em.

Answer 6

Not enough information. Is this person elderly? If they are keep listening...


My grandmother slipped into alzheimer's and early on would tell the same stories repeatedly. If I were you and they were interesting I would record them because they won't always be here...Also, I would encourage them to tell stories of their youth and record those...These days we don't seem to care about how our ancestors grew up.

Answer 7

My mother does that. I just tell her I've heard it before and recite the rest of the story. Then give her a dig about Alzheimer's.

Answer 8

There is a polite way to stop them. This involves simply saying, "yes, we've heard that story, would you mind telling us one we haven't heard before?" Say it nicely and it won't sound like an accusation.

Answer 9

How old is this person? It could be they truly don't remember telling you ever before. In which case it would be down right rude of you. OR you could just laugh and say "Oh yes, I remember you telling me that, great story"

Answer 10

Smile and nod