DEAR ABBY: Help! I have just returned from the walk from hell -- one of many. All because my neighbor talks nonstop about herself. She goes on and on about her past: how wonderful she is, how wonderful her son is. (She's certain he will be the mayor of this little town one day.)
She never asks anything about me or members of my family.
Abby, I try my best to be courteous and appear interested, but inside, I am ready to scream. If you have any suggestions short of running in the other direction when I see her, I will be very grateful.
I am signing my real name, but please don't use it because this is a small town, and I don't want to publicly embarrass her. -- BORED TO TEARS
DEAR BORED: Look at it this way. This pathetic woman desperately needs someone to listen to her. She has probably worn out her welcome with her other neighbors. It would be an act of charity to give her an audience, but in order to preserve your own sanity, let her talk for as long as you can tolerate it; then tell her you have things to do, give her a hug and say, "We'll talk again when I have more time."