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OMG ... TMI! How Much Is Too Much?
TGIF! As we head into the weekend, I bet you all have some wild and raucous plans for St. Patrick's Day, right? But do you plan to tell your co-workers/casual acquaintances/people on the bus about your leprechaun-inspired debauchery? About how you had so many green drinks you ended up in the parking lot of the nearest White Castle doing the hokey pokey in your bathrobe? Of course not, because that would be ... TMI. You know, too much information. For some, there really is no such thing as too much information -- these folks just let it all hang out for anyone who will listen. I had to laugh when I saw this discussion from the Toxic Relationships board (which happens to have one of my favorite board titles ever! Toxic!)
"My post is inspired by having sat beside a woman at a recent dinner party who seemed to feel obligated to want to tell me some of what were the more personal and private details of her life, in full detail!I am curious where others draw the "too much information" line..."
Good question. How much is too much? Are there certain subjects that should never come up in casual conversation? Why are some people so willing to share the most intimate details of their lives with just about darn near everyone? And more importantly is there anything we can do about this epidemic? Or are we just doomed to hear about our neighbor's boils, the Target cashier's messy divorce and our co-workers' racy spring break stories? Step right up and tell us where you draw your TMI line and what you do about the people in your life that know no boundaries. Have a great weekend ... and be sure to come back on Monday and tell me all about it! On second thought ...
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Once the conversation turns to include private parts, that's where I draw the line. ;) I currently know one of my neighbors (that I've only been talking to for 2 years) complete gynecological history -- waaaay TMI!
I'm guilty - just ask Angela, lol, and it's all my Mama's fault, since she raised me without much of a filter, lol. ;-)
I don't want to know about surgeries, bodily functions of any sort, gastro-intestinal issues, bedroom or bathroom information... if it involves health, sex, bathroom, bedroom or any sort of body fluids, then TMI
A friend of a friend launched into a story about her sexual problems and what surgery she needed to correct it. I think I had known her two weeks. And my kids were in the room! There's a time and a place for intimate conversations and that time isn't with strangers or co-workers, unless you are friends outside of work. And marital issues, when you are friends with both husband/spouse, are as off-limits as to knowing how much money you make or what your husband's dream was about last night. Don't strangers pick up on the 'oh no, stop, please' face we make when they use us as a listening ear for something way TMI? I feel bad for them but not bad enough to erase the bad visuals they leave in my head. And if you have an intestinal issue, no one but you, your spouse, your doctor and your dog needs to know. Quietly excuse yourself and let everyone else pretend you just have a small bladder. Please?
I think sometimes what is TMI for a relative stranger, isn't TMI for a close friend... I've got a few friends online who I share stuff that I would think is TMI for a friend you'll see every day.
Reminds me of a comment my Mom made in the 70s... Cathy Rigby was doing maxipad commercials. And at the end, they show her doing a walkover on the balance beam. One day my mother said "I hate this commercial - I can't not look to see if you can see her pad"
I think for a total stranger- I really, really do NOT want to hear about their issues with their intestines or bodily fluids.
Or the more kinky details of their sex lives.
It's disgusting when you're out with your honey, your kids, or even your friends and you hear some person talking on their cell (usually LOUDLY!) about this mess.
I mean really...discretion, man!