I came across an old, very funny column by Gerald Dumas in Smithsonian. He writes that while he is a big blabbermouth, his wife is the quintessential conversation stopper. He gave lots of examples, but here is one of my favorites:

"Several years ago we were watching an old movie on TV. Gail pointed to the leading man and said, 'Who's that?'
'Cornel Wilde,' I said.
'Didn't he die?'
'No, not yet.'
'Who died?' she asked."

Do any of you know people like this? Do tell!

I remember an almost identical conversation with my mother several years ago.

Pointing at an actor on TV (I can't remember who it was now), she said, "Didn't he die?"

"No, Mum, I think he's still alive."

"Well, somebody died!"

Not exactly a conversation stopper, more a conversation prolonger really.

My brother's father-in-law Ron has a habit of visiting with conversations like this one. (All names made up for illustration.)

Ron: Just called to tell you old Freddy Smith's died.
My Dad: Who?
Ron: Freddy Smith.
Dad: I don't know him.
Ron: You do, used to pal about with Jack Johnson and Harry Pool.
Dad: Jack Johnson? No, I don't know him either.
Ron: Of course you do. Lived in Vine Street, married the daughter of that butcher.
Dad:What butcher?
Ron:Him who had the glass eye.


I've known these conversations go on for more than half an hour with Ron totally convinced that my Dad (or whoever is unlucky enough to be today's victim) knows all these people when in fact he knows none of them.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BobHale,

Those are great! Arnie, I can't believe your mother said the same thing.

Another in this article went like this:

Husband: Talking about Phil Rizzuto, a NY Yankee broadcaster: "He's terrific. It doesn't make any difference what he's going on about, bowling, cooking, movies or whatever. I can listen to him all night."

His wife agreed, so he said, "But you don't like to it when I talk all night."

She smiled and said, "I can turn him off, can't I?"