Story Tellers - A New Experience For Me

rgcraig · #1 03-07-2012, 05:32 PM

I work with this lady that has really got my curiosity up. I actually think she might have some type of syndrome or condition.

No matter who is talking, what the subject is, she tells a story "relating" to whatever is going on. Sometimes its a real STRETCH to see the relationship, but she thinks it relates.

Sometimes it's just a random story. Yesterday, I was minding my own business at my desk and she spoke up and said, "remind me to tell you sometime about the handspring". I said, okay. Then, moments later, there she is standing in my cube and said, "I thought I'd just go ahead and tell you." Then precedes to tell a story about her daughter when she was younger wanting to be a cheerleader and she needed to do a handspring. She went out in the yard to spot her and thought, well, I used to be a cheerleader, so I'll just show her. (this lady probably is 200 lbs more than she weighed when she was a cheerleader) - She goes on to tell how she ran and tried and her arms gave out and she ended up on the ground and she just laid there laughing.

Okay. So, I had to respond with something and we both went back to work.

Random.

Then, this morning I was telling her that we had a drive-by shooting across the street from me last night and she acted concerned a bit, but then went right into TWO stories of back when she was about 8 and someone came up on their porch and her dad goes and gets his gun, etc. etc. She always says, to make a long story short, but it really continues to be long.

Later this afternoon, I needed to go to the restroom, so I was waiting until she got off a conference call to ask her to cover my phone while I stepped out and told her I really had to go.......she actually starts to tell me a story about her now 25 year old son when he was about 4 - running through the house jumping up and down and she asked him, "do you need to go potty". Okay, great story as I'm standing them with my eyeballs floating.

I'm going to keep a log tomorrow of just how many stories she tells in an 8 hr day! I'm amazed and speechless. I don't dare tell her much because my one minute comment would cause her to tell two long stories.

Most of the stories are "back in the day" type stories.

When I first started she was training me on a few things and she'd train a while and story-tell a while. She even pulled up her personal picture folder and I had to view over 200 pictures when her kids were all little. I don't mind pictures and getting to know someone, but show me what your college-aged kids look like. I'm not real interested in your trip to the Grand Canyon 20 years ago. And, explaining all about her mom and dad going with them and their temperaments and things that happened on the trip - - - oh my!!!!

I just wanna work.

Austin · #2 03-07-2012, 05:35 PM

She is a lady who wants attention and friends. Probably someone who is lonely and depressed and wish she could be like other people.
Invite her to church with you and your family.

Cindy · #3 03-07-2012, 05:36 PM

Sounds like Rose on The Golden Girls.

rgcraig · #4 03-07-2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin

She is a lady who wants attention and friends. Probably someone who is lonely and depressed and wish she could be like other people.
Invite her to church with you and your family.

You would think that, but she seems very content and happy with her family - believe me I know all about them and all their trips and funny things they have said.

Everyone at work likes her - they just do drive by hellos because they know she talks too much. Our boss told me that he addressed it in her review this year (in Jan) and if she's improved any, I sure would hate to see what she WAS like.

I like her, just not sure how to handle all the stories and interruption during the day.

rgcraig · #5 03-07-2012, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy

Sounds like Rose on The Golden Girls.

OMW - - you are right!!!!

berkeley · #6 03-07-2012, 05:40 PM

It is a sign of old age. We have one or two story tellers on AFF.

rgcraig · #7 03-07-2012, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berkeley

It is a sign of old age. We have one or two story tellers on AFF.

Berk, she's only 44.

rgcraig · #8 03-07-2012, 05:44 PM

She'll even say, stop me if I've already told you this.

Really?

I've actually told her a couple times that she has told me already. She's good about not going ahead and retelling it again, but she'll always have a couple comments about it.

Austin · #9 03-07-2012, 05:45 PM

th_IMG_0236[1].jpg

Yea, here's one of them old age people right now!!!

The Matt · #10 03-07-2012, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I work with this lady that has really got my curiosity up. I actually think she might have some type of syndrome or condition.

No matter who is talking, what the subject is, she tells a story "relating" to whatever is going on. Sometimes its a real STRETCH to see the relationship, but she thinks it relates.

Sometimes it's just a random story. Yesterday, I was minding my own business at my desk and she spoke up and said, "remind me to tell you sometime about the handspring". I said, okay. Then, moments later, there she is standing in my cube and said, "I thought I'd just go ahead and tell you." Then precedes to tell a story about her daughter when she was younger wanting to be a cheerleader and she needed to do a handspring. She went out in the yard to spot her and thought, well, I used to be a cheerleader, so I'll just show her. (this lady probably is 200 lbs more than she weighed when she was a cheerleader) - She goes on to tell how she ran and tried and her arms gave out and she ended up on the ground and she just laid there laughing.

Okay. So, I had to respond with something and we both went back to work.

Random.

Then, this morning I was telling her that we had a drive-by shooting across the street from me last night and she acted concerned a bit, but then went right into TWO stories of back when she was about 8 and someone came up on their porch and her dad goes and gets his gun, etc. etc. She always says, to make a long story short, but it really continues to be long.

Later this afternoon, I needed to go to the restroom, so I was waiting until she got off a conference call to ask her to cover my phone while I stepped out and told her I really had to go.......she actually starts to tell me a story about her now 25 year old son when he was about 4 - running through the house jumping up and down and she asked him, "do you need to go potty". Okay, great story as I'm standing them with my eyeballs floating.

I'm going to keep a log tomorrow of just how many stories she tells in an 8 hr day! I'm amazed and speechless. I don't dare tell her much because my one minute comment would cause her to tell two long stories.

Most of the stories are "back in the day" type stories.

When I first started she was training me on a few things and she'd train a while and story-tell a while. She even pulled up her personal picture folder and I had to view over 200 pictures when her kids were all little. I don't mind pictures and getting to know someone, but show me what your college-aged kids look like. I'm not real interested in your trip to the Grand Canyon 20 years ago. And, explaining all about her mom and dad going with them and their temperaments and things that happened on the trip - - - oh my!!!!

I just wanna work.

We as human beings feel needs to pass on our learnings and experiences. The closer you get to death, the more you will feel this need. Some people feel it stronger, and younger.