Constant updates (page 2)

ivy

This happens to me quite often, and I have a nice technique to squelch the conversation. Being free from the "truth" gave me the freedom to start telling the truth; or the truths that no one else would say. Here is one real life example:

"{Insert name of married couple here} are doing great. They have three kids now."

And my response: "Really? You know when we were teens she used to say that she wasn't going to have any kids because she was afraid she would beat them like her parents beat her."

Now that's a conversation stopper.

OldSoul

Kwin,

My dad just got back from a vacation visiting family. I ask how so-and-so is doing ... "Oh, they're great. Just married and settled into their new apartment. XXXXXX is pioneering this month." And he leaves it at that to let it soak in. I really feel like saying, "She's pioneering? That's too bad. Still slaving for a cult. Tsk Tsk."

And then he says, "Oh, and XXXXX just got reinstated. She's really happy now." It took everything not to say, "I'm sure she was happy doing the deed that got her DF'd in the first place too. It's too bad that she still feels required to be judged by men in a kangaroo court."

Maybe you could say whatever you are thinking so your free speech isn't stifled by prefacing it with, "Are you baiting me into saying ..." and then say what you felt like saying. Just a thought.

Respectfully,
OldSoul

OldSoul

blondie: I would say that about 80% of JWs have no clue how to have a give and take conversation.

Hear! Hear!

And then they invariably say, "It is so refreshing to be around other Witnesses! We just don't have anything in common with worldly people."

I feel like responding, "That's your child you're talking about, you arrogant bastards! You said it right, though. You sure don't have much in common with the 'worldly' people I know. Most of them have at least a fleeting concept of what unconditional love is all about. God loved the world even though the world did not love him, but not you. You imitate your father."

But it's hard to cover for all that with a lead-in like "Are you trying to bait me into saying ..."

Respectfully,
OldSoul

LongHairGal

Upside/Down:

Very funny about showing up an arrogant person. Also interesting about you feeling like he acted like the god of his little domain. I always felt like certain elders acted like little dictators and that everybody there was their subject or in their employ.

Problem is, I don't work for them.

luna2

There's a sister who comes by the store (where I work) every so often to sigh over me and try to "encourage" me. It never struck me before, but reading all of this I can see that she never really asks about me personally or engages in a real conversation. All the time we spent out in service together (we used to go out every Tuesday morning) and we weren't really friends at all. She'll come by, give me all the "up-building" news about so and so getting married or the congregation increasing in numbers or somebody pioneering, drop off a magazine or an invite to a special talk and be on her way. She makes it sound like everything is perfect as it can be, and I'm missing out big-time by not being around any more.

In contrast, a brother came by a few months ago (he was shopping and saw me in my office as we always have the door open to keep an eye on the floor). His news was all about how his marriage had failed, one of his daughters had married a Muslim, one of his other daughters had accussed him (falsely according to him) of abuse, and another disfellowshipped daughter was living with him and trying to get reinstated. I just sat there with my mouth hanging open. At least he wasn't working the "territory" and actually talked to me like a person.

MidwichCuckoo

I would say that about 80% of JWs have no clue how to have a give and take conversation

So true Blondie. Children brought up in the Org are prevented from developing normal social skills. (At the moment, I'm aware of quite a few children born into it, who are educated at home (often by parents who have little education themselves) and have no interaction with ''Wordly'' people.)

I have noticed though, during conversations with JW, there are certain 'trigger' words that they respond to. You know what I mean....

New Worldly Translation

I used to hear it said that 'worldly people have nothing to talk about, but we JW's have lots to talk about'

When you listen to their conversations though all it amounts to is gossip - who got married, divorced, DF'd, had a kid, who wore what outfit at the assembly, who got insulted or snubbed at the last meeting etc etc etc

They live their whole lives making small talk because they have such dull, unfulfilling lives with no outside interests or pastimes. They don't even talk about so called 'spiritual' things from the bible or watchtower, like they are told from the platform, cos even they figure that stuffs boring as hell.

mouthy

Yes that is frustrating BUT!!!! Be happy they still speak to you !mine dont!!!! It is nice to still have those you love care about you (((HUG))

Constant updates

Share this