Please stop talking to me about your phlegm!

[Anonymous]

My FIL insists on talking to me about the excess phlegm he is experiencing. If you ever met me, after 10 minutes you'd know that I am a squeamish germophobe who does not want to discuss anything gross. FIL has known me for 17 years. I have exhibited zero interest in this topic. I barely respond to his phlegm-related conversational overtures. Yet he keeps bringing it up. I'm trying not to say "please STOP telling me about your phlegm!!!" but it's hard.

Vent over. Thanks for listening!

[Anonymous]

Don't reply at all. Change the subject, or walk away.

[Anonymous]

You should just say it. Why subject yourself to that? Or better yet have your husband talk to him.

[Anonymous]

Get him some listening to gargle with.

That or put him on an acid reflux diet.

[Anonymous]

It is the way of the old people. My mom is going on and on about my Dad and his toilet issues, non stop. I mean in e-mails, phone calls, etc...Then about her constipation, then about her carpal syndrome which is a result of a huge lipoma on her back, carpal syndrome is in her finger. It is beyond annoying, but I try to tune it out.

[Anonymous]

Well, it's hard to get old or be in bad health.

I wouldn't mind so much.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure he's just trying to push your buttons. One time my dad got on a kick of saying that his urine felt thick, just to drive us bonkers.

[Anonymous]

Tell him to post I thread here on DCUM. I love phlegm! I could talk about it all day.

[Anonymous]

Multiple people in my family are obsessed with talking about their health issues and assorted gross problems. I have become pretty slick at changing the subject and/or sidling away. It's just what you have to do.

A few times when I was literally trapped, I just casually covered my ears and nodded while staring into space and thinking of my happy place. They don't even notice when they really get rolling.