Some people can chat endlessly about themselves for an hour straight, never pausing to ask about you. Marie-Anne shares her amazement at this all-too-common phenomenon.
She keeps on chatting
Marie-Anne: I'm a longtime fan of filmmaker Woody Allen. The opening scene of his 2013 film Blue Jasmine struck a chord with me—Cate Blanchett dominates a conversation with a fellow passenger on a flight, continuing even at baggage claim. The listener barely gets a word in, serving purely as a sounding board. Some folks just love the sound of their own voice.
Non-verbal hints I've lived this myself multiple times. On a two-hour flight from Amsterdam to Alicante, I was bombarded with unsolicited details of someone's life—divorces, grandkids, health woes—the full story dumped on my tray table. Despite my clear non-verbal cues of disinterest, I couldn't escape. All I wanted was to dive into the book I'd bought at Schiphol.
Endless
When asked about my knee, I often reply with a simple 'Comme ci, comme ça' or 'Fairly well, thanks—ups and downs.' The reality is far more nuanced, and after these experiences, I'm wary of inflicting my story on others. I despise one-sided evenings where you're just a yes-person, with no one asking about your work, kids, or passions. Don't misunderstand—I cherish meaningful conversations that uplift and inspire. I adore people and their stories, and I'll listen for hours if a friend needs it. But reciprocity is key.
Facebook
Facebook nails it with the relationship status 'It's complicated'—signaling complexity without dragging anyone down. But social media isn't real life.
In short
To keep it brief here (no room for novels on the Santé site), my knee has good days and bad. An unexplained meniscus tear causes occasional locking—though causation is unclear. A shake unlocks it, but it never feels quite right. Another surgery looms, details TBD. It's complicated. Maybe Woody Allen could turn it into a film.
Who is Marie-Anne? Marie-Anne, 48, is married with three daughters. She battles a severe cartilage issue stemming from a skiing accident, compounded by genetics and medical mysteries. She recently underwent her ninth knee surgery and blogs every other week about her patchwork family, Dutch healthcare, and her knee.
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