DEAR ABBY:
My 71-year-old husband has a habit that is starting to wear me down. Whenever we’re around other people — whether it’s family, friends, or even someone we just met in line at the grocery store — he launches into long, drawn-out stories about himself. The stories often stretch on and on, with every little detail included. The problem is that they’re almost always the same stories I’ve heard dozens of times before.
I’m bored to tears hearing them repeated over and over, and I can tell other people are feeling the same way. I’ve watched their eyes glaze over while they politely nod, and sometimes they even try to steer the conversation elsewhere. A few have started avoiding conversations with him altogether. It’s awkward and embarrassing, and I often find myself silently wishing he would wrap things up.
I’ve gently tried to talk to him about it. I even suggested that if he wants to tell stories, maybe he could stick to more recent ones — things from the last 10 years instead of stories from decades ago. Unfortunately, that suggestion didn’t change anything. He still goes right back to the same old tales.
It’s gotten to the point where I sometimes avoid social situations because I know exactly what will happen. I hate feeling this way, because otherwise he’s a kind and good-hearted person. But I don’t know how to handle this habit without hurting his feelings or causing an argument.
Do you have any advice on how I can address this in a way that’s respectful but effective? I’d love to enjoy social time together again without dreading the inevitable storytelling marathon.
— MAKE IT STOP IN CALIFORNIA