Friend hijacks conversations

This seems to be common problem and similar threads pop up quite frequently over the months/years. The answers are always interesting.
If repeat questions were not allowed by now Chat would grind to a halt when all life's problèms had been exhausted!

Oh we do - but she just carries on!

My husband's family do something like this! If someone interrupts when they're speaking they say 'I've got the stick!' It's all done lightheartedly!

No - this the first post I've made about this.

I belonged to a group like this where one of the ladies hogged the entire conversation with her life and experiences and she seemed to have wider, higher, and better things than anyone else. Oddly enough, I became privy to an incident she was involved in which revealed how lonely, down, and unhappy she really was. People who talk a lot are covering something up. If they were at peace with themselves, they would allow people space to be themselves. Is there anyway the rest of the group could say: Let's let Jane finish speaking and we are interested in her story. Also, you could direct a question at say Sue and ask: Sue how did you find the film? When Beryl answers on Sue's behalf, say: I was interested in what Sue had to say herself. If you do it gently and continue as a group, she will find herself in a position to listen. In the group I belonged to, it was actually a poetry group. I got so fed up with what Speaking Lady had to say that I decided to lead a poetry session myself. I went around from person to person and explained that I wanted everyone to feel they could speak without interruption. One other particular lady, who was a very talented poet, started to shine, and she got a lot of recognition from the rest of the group. Speaking Lady had to listen.

Maybe she isn’t aware of it. Could you say something like Hang on a minute Beryl, and carry on talking

If Beryl is in danger of not being invited to your meet ups, which sounds like the case, is one of you closer to her than the rest, if so could that friend perhaps have a word with her and explain that she seems to be dominating conversations to the exclusion of others and that this comes from a place of valued friendship. It might sting but is better than this person being dropped without explanation. Even if once she knows she has been over stepping the mark she decides to leave of her own violition, which I hope she doesn’t, but at least she will feel in control of this and have a greater degree of dignity, I would hope that she takes note of her difficulty in butting out of a conversation when making other friends.

NotSpaghetti

I'm not sure if it was the same poster (don't think so) but there were suggestions around deafness and/or early dementia etc - so the old thread might be worth re-visiting.

My husband always knows when I’m on the phone with a certain friend.
I keep stopping in the middle of a sentence as she buts in. She is a little hard of hearing. I think she must think that I don’t say much😂

(That was in response to JdotJ)

I'm not sure if it was the same poster (don't think so) but there were suggestions around deafness and/or early dementia etc - so the old thread might be worth re-visiting.

I have a friend who also dominates the conversation when in a group but is fine one to one . I put up with it because she’s a good friend and I value our relationship.

NotSpaghetti

Is this relatively new behavior?
We saw another thread like this on here about 6 or 8 weeks ago.

I'm also sure I've read this post previously

Apologies if not but I remember the OP saying "let's call her ....."

I have a very dear friend whom I phone for a chat and then just listen I don’t need to contribute. She asks me a question and then answers it herself. Sometimes I just talk over her to get my opinion heard. In a group we all just mostly listen and interrupt occasionally. It can be wearing at times. Her husband puts his hand up and asks for permission to speak at times! She gets upset if anyone brings it up with her. She is a lovely lovely person tho and would do anything for anyone. I value her friendship dearly so I accept this is her and we live many miles from each other and so face to face meet ups happen two or three times only a year.

If, while you are talking, she tries to put over as her own idea/news something that you had told her earlier, just say clearly over her "Yes, that is right Beryl, we were talking about that just yesterday, weren't we, I was telling you that xxxxxx - " (and here you tell everyone, in YOUR words, what Beryl was inserting into your account, and you do it with more detail added than Beryl knows so that she doesn't make herself out to be the expert, )

"Beryl - you have never met Ann. She is my friend. Please let me finish!" ...and then continue what you were saying.

"Beryl anyone would think Ann was YOUR old friend not mine!" - with a smile ...then carry in what you were saying

"I'm SO glad you like my idea Beryl ..what do others think?" ....

"Yes I really enjoyed doing ....... ! I didnt know you had done it too Beryl. Has anyone else here done that?"

Tworedroses

I’m sorry, this all sounds incredibly childish to me.

It might sound childish to you but believe me, it’s no barrel of laughs for those of us who have to endure it for the sake of other friends.

Yep I have a very good friend who is fine on a one to one but get her into a group and she has an audience. Tells the same old stories, buts in and never listens to others.

We all just put up with her as she’s a love , and try to talk over her and change the subject.

Cut in and change the subject.

I’m sorry, this all sounds incredibly childish to me.

Remember The lord of The Flies.
The person holding the conch is allowed to speak. Buy a conch 😂
I do very much sympathise, though.

We have a friend does the same, I just make eye contact and say in a direct manner ‘I was talking’, it does work.

Is this relatively new behavior?
We saw another thread like this on here about 6 or 8 weeks ago.

I too have a friend like this. Whenever we try to tell her she gets very upset and sulks. I am not sure what you can do about it except maybe just see her on a one to one basis.

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