So, like, there was this comic I was reading, it was somewhere online, on that internet thingy, you know, and it was about two dudes talkin' 'bout stuff, right, and one was bored listening but, you know feigned interest (that's a good dollar fifty-eight phrase), and the other dude had no idea whut he wuz talkin' 'bout and there wuz this narrative text that was so annoying, so I like surfed o'er to Cathy and she's really fat and disturbing so I loaded up my guns and shot up some of the neighborhood cats, so now I feel better - should I have told you that last bit? - maybe I should go now - bye.
I find if someone's talking to me about something I don't care about, I'll intentionally tie it in with something they don't care about. I have a Trekker friend who, whenever he starts up about Star Trek, I tie it in with Mortal Kombat, a video game he could care less about. It's difficult sometimes, but that just makes it more exciting.
I experience the first three panels of that strip about ten times a week at work, people talking at me about something I don't care about while I nod and smile. I need to come up with a way to turn every conversation to some obscure but seriously creepy topic to make people go away. I will note that I don't blather on at coworkers about things they don't care about and thus have an obligation to return the courtesy. I blog instead, so no one is forced to pay attention if they don't care :)
I experience the first 3 panels of that strip about ten times a week at work, but it is me doing the talking. So I sent the strip around to all twelve of my co-workers.
sadly, I tend to be the rambler. If i am not stopped I will go on for literally hours explaining exactly how computers work from basic transistors up to Big-O notation.
Interesting... so when you talk about something you know positively is boring to death to someone, and they listen politely, they may actually make some fun of it ... uhmm ... it may spoil the fun of the torture.
Ha ha! I laughed so hard at this. Actually I'm pretty sure the reason my husband and I work together so well is because we totally give each other the license to do this. He'll go on and on about Web development while I smile and nod, and then it is my turn to go on and on about something I read in better homes and gardens. I still don't really know what he does for a living.
"Feigned interest" is not really a "phrase," as such. That is, it IS a phrase, but it is not a nonsensical phrase that we use because we don't have an extensive enough vocabulary to describe what it means (such as irregardless, or "greater than the sum of its parts"); it's a thing you can actually do. Feign is to "pretend," and "interest" is something you can pretend to do.
December 29, 2008
Reader Comments (16)
So to be allowed to ramble on about things I like to people who don't care, I have to listen to them ramble on about things I don't care about?
I'm not so sure that's worth it. I may have to start keeping things to myself.
So, like, there was this comic I was reading, it was somewhere online, on that internet thingy, you know, and it was about two dudes talkin' 'bout stuff, right, and one was bored listening but, you know feigned interest (that's a good dollar fifty-eight phrase), and the other dude had no idea whut he wuz talkin' 'bout and there wuz this narrative text that was so annoying, so I like surfed o'er to Cathy and she's really fat and disturbing so I loaded up my guns and shot up some of the neighborhood cats, so now I feel better - should I have told you that last bit? - maybe I should go now - bye.
I find if someone's talking to me about something I don't care about, I'll intentionally tie it in with something they don't care about. I have a Trekker friend who, whenever he starts up about Star Trek, I tie it in with Mortal Kombat, a video game he could care less about. It's difficult sometimes, but that just makes it more exciting.
I experience the first three panels of that strip about ten times a week at work, people talking at me about something I don't care about while I nod and smile. I need to come up with a way to turn every conversation to some obscure but seriously creepy topic to make people go away. I will note that I don't blather on at coworkers about things they don't care about and thus have an obligation to return the courtesy. I blog instead, so no one is forced to pay attention if they don't care :)
I experience the first 3 panels of that strip about ten times a week at work, but it is me doing the talking. So I sent the strip around to all twelve of my co-workers.
sadly, I tend to be the rambler. If i am not stopped I will go on for literally hours explaining exactly how computers work from basic transistors up to Big-O notation.
My favorite line "It had a doohickey thing on it!"
....nice! =D
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed. Say something once, why say it again...
OK, NOW I'm scared. "Your skin will make a fine poncho" indeed...
Right reference?
my life...
RE: Megamanic -
Everyone knows that hoboskin makes the best ponchos.
Interesting... so when you talk about something you know positively is boring to death to someone, and they listen politely, they may actually make some fun of it ... uhmm ... it may spoil the fun of the torture.
I think my feeling might be hurt.......
teachers are quite good at this . . .
That's the nicest I've seen those two ever been!
Ha ha! I laughed so hard at this. Actually I'm pretty sure the reason my husband and I work together so well is because we totally give each other the license to do this. He'll go on and on about Web development while I smile and nod, and then it is my turn to go on and on about something I read in better homes and gardens. I still don't really know what he does for a living.
"Feigned interest" is not really a "phrase," as such. That is, it IS a phrase, but it is not a nonsensical phrase that we use because we don't have an extensive enough vocabulary to describe what it means (such as irregardless, or "greater than the sum of its parts"); it's a thing you can actually do. Feign is to "pretend," and "interest" is something you can pretend to do.