¢ Don’t talk at me

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NION What gets your goat: People who talk at me

» Learn to recognize when you are talking too much

you live

..and more!

always turn it back to talking about themselves. You try to tell them with your body language that you're getting annoyed with their endless soliloquy, that this isn’t a Shakespearean play, and they aren't the main character. It’s almost impossible to even find a way out of the chat because they won't shut the hell up. However, I can’t talk too much smack. Iam sympathetic to the talk-aters. I have been both sides of the discussion. I certainly can talk people's ears off or take the conversational beating. Often, you don’t realize youre dominating the discussion. The key is to recognize when youre talking at someone and learn how to rectify it. If your conversational partner seems uninterested in what you are saying, or if you realize they haven't said anything in a while, take a breather and ask them about their day so they have a chance to talk. If you're ina situation where you want to say something, but your partner wont let you get a word in, make it known that you have something to add. Usually talking over someone is rude, but in cases like these it can be the only way to get a word in. Finally, don’t be afraid to tell

Jessica Berget Opinions Editor

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It's like getting beaten eall know someone who is an avid talker. up, but with words.

Someone with whom—no matter what you do— you can’t seem to get a word in edgewise. They usually occupy the higher ground the conversation and if you werent talking with them you could swear they were talking to themselves. This is known as being talked at—and it’s the worst.

There is a difference between talking to someone and talking at someone. Unfortunately, some people don't seem to understand this fundamental contrast. When you are talking to someone, you are both equally engaged in the conversation. Being talked at, however, is when someone does not pause to give you a chance to add to the dialogue. They go on and on and on about something you've already lost track of, and you're exhausted just listening to them.

What’s even more frustrating than people who talk at you is when they don't realize that they're doing it. It feels

like they're unloading all their burdens onto you and all you can do is take it. It’s like getting beaten up, but with words.

You try to get a word in multiple times, or you try to steer the dialogue ina way that you lets you talk for a bit, but they

the other person that they’re talking too much. Sometimes being honest and upfront is the best way to deal with it.

Illustration by Cara Seccafien

Rants 1n your pants: STOP walking while smoking

» You've trapped me for the last time!

Janis McMath Contributor

his spring, Councilman Peter Koo

proposed a bill that would ban walking and smoking simultaneously in New York City—and let me be the first to build a shrine to this beautiful and considerate politician. I passionately believe that his idea needs to make its way to Greater Vancouver because this city is full of self- centred smokers.

My beef with people who smoke on the go is the fact that they're purposely trapping everyone behind them ina cloud of smog. I constantly see people strolling and blowing smoke in the faces of mothers and their babies. HealthLink BC states that babies “inhale more smoke because they breathe faster than adults.” With that in mind, consider exactly how awful it is fora newborn to be caught in a stream of smoke.

Knowingly forcing people to inhale your cigarettes is shamelessly inconsiderate

of those with breathing problems like asthma. An asthma attack can be a serious threat to those with the condition, and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists tobacco smoke, including the second-hand smoke of passers-by, as “one of the most common asthma triggers.” That fact alone should prevent anyone from walking on a sidewalk while smoking if they have any decency.

To clarify, I have no problem with people smoking outside. People deserve to enjoy their vices in public as long as they do it ina manner that is mindful of the fact that they are in a shared space. There is no issue with someone smoking off to the side where it is less crowded, for example, because they are not subjecting anyone to their smoke and because everyone can easily pass them.

So, in conclusion, there’s no reason to smoke and walk—unless you're a jerk who doesn't care about babies and sick people.