You know those people who always seem to talk about themselves and never let other people speak in conversation?
There’s actually a word for that: a conversational narcissist.
Here’s what they have to say about conversational narcissism.
What is a conversational narcissist?
They are generally uninterested in what other people have to say.
In anmbg podcastepisode, author and journalistCeleste Headleedescribes it as “hogging the ball” in a conversation.
Remember, it’s possibleand actually much more commonto havetraits of narcissism without actually being a narcissist.
This is typically the case with conversational narcissism.
“They’re usually somewhere on the spectrum, though.”
“It’s never really interpersonal or interactive.
It becomes more of a soliloquy or a monologue.”
Trying to have meaningful interactions with someone who’s conversationally narcissistic can be lonely, she says.
Respond with empathic confrontation
Those who are courageous enough can try what Behary callsempathic confrontation.
Then she recommends instructing them to listen.
“You won’t be the one to change them,” she says.
“People with this pattern tend to not be particularly insightful.”
Pointing it out to them may make them defensive, and they won’t always change their pattern.
