The person who answers their own questions

Why do I always do everything around here? Oh right, because no one else ever does anything!

There’s a special breed of communicator who asks questions they don’t actually want answers to.

We’ve all heard them:
“Do I have to do everything myself?!”
“Why does this always happen to me?!”
“Am I the only one who cares?!”

And before you can respond, they’ve already continued talking, usually louder.

They’re not asking.
They’re broadcasting.
They want validation, not discussion.

Quick tip:

If someone does this, don’t answer the question. Instead, name the emotion:

“You seem frustrated. Want to talk about it?”
(Warning: they might explode anyway.)

A colourful moment:

A colleague once asked me: “Why does no one ever listen to me?”
Then, without waiting for an answer, launched into a 12-minute monologue.
I never said a word.
She left saying, “This was really helpful. Thank you.”

See you next Wednesday.
//Thomas