How to Handle a Date Who Only Talks About Himself

Measure speaking time and respond with short, scripted redirects. If they always circle back to the same anecdote or keep asking about their own achievements, use a clear line: “That’s interesting – tell me one detail you haven’t shared yet.” If theyve already gone through the same examples, try “You went into that earlier; what’s a different story?” If the person doesnt shift after two attempts, pull back immediately.

Use concrete boundaries that don’t sound accusatory: say you have a next commitment or switch topics to neutral territory – friends, a recent business question, or a current event – for exactly ten minutes. If they were unwilling to share the floor or barely asked about your life, cut contact the same night rather than bargaining for attention.

Log exchanges to build pattern recognition: write down who spoke, for how long, and what topics barely crossed the surface. Give thanks when the other side reciprocates; if you don’t receive two reciprocal exchanges across three meetups, downgrade follow-ups. This creates quick understanding of whether that person can easily meet different conversational expectations and lets you decide whether to build more time together or move on.

Practical Steps for Managing Self-Focused Dates and Jealous Behavior

Set a hard conversation structure immediately: announce a 5–8 minute alternating-speaker rule and use a visible timer; pause or end the meeting after two violations.

• Concrete scripts to use
  • “I noticed most of the time is your stories; I need equal turns – five minutes you, five minutes me.”
  • “When you bring up tinder or past matches repeatedly, I step back until this stops.”
  • “That comparison to a thai ex felt dismissive; explain what you meant or stop.”
• Immediate boundary actions
  1. Enforce the timer rule for two meetings. If the same pattern continues, reduce contact frequency by 50%.
  2. Withdraw physical intimacy and delay further closeness until concrete changes are observed.
  3. Request a specific favor: remove dating apps during the getting-to-know period; verify by showing the app closed.
• Readable signals and body language
  • Show the palm up, step back physically, or place your bag on the table to signal pause.
  • Note repeated invasive questions, possessive comments, or Othello-style accusations; log examples with date and exact language.
• Dealing with jealousy
  • Name the behavior: “That jealousy comment felt controlling.” Avoid labels like delusional in public; use them privately when assessing safety.
  • Ask for evidence: request specifics rather than accept vague accusations.
  • Set a measurable test: one week without checking each other’s phones; if jealousy spikes, insist on third-party mediation or end contact.
• When to escalate
  • Document repeated boundary violations and threats. If accusations become constant or physical, treat as unsafe and disengage immediately.
  • Consult a therapist or relationship analyst for patterns that feel abusive rather than merely rude.
• Practical follow-up steps
  1. After each meeting, rate the interaction on a 1–5 scale for mutual exchange, respect, and jealousy. Track trends over three meetings.
  2. Communicate preferred changes using measurable language: “Reduce interruptions to fewer than two per 10-minute block.”
  3. If the person makes rapid improvements, test sustained change across four meetings before increasing intimacy.
• Red flags that justify ending contact
  • Persistent refusal to share time, repeated public scenes, insistence on controlling your social circle, or claims that others are lying without proof.
  • Grandiose or delusional accusations rooted in fantasy rather than facts (e.g., wild interpretations of harmless interactions).
• Contextual notes
  • A woman reporting she felt ignored or minimized matters equally; value mutual feedback and compare notes after meetings.
  • Stories of past partners or othello-like jealousy can reveal deep patterns; treat them as reasons to pause, not excuses to continue.
  • Small changes in listening behaviors–showing eye contact, asking follow-up questions, mirroring language–predict whether improvements will last.

Make decisions based on documented patterns, not promises; if after three interventions the same behaviors persist, end contact and protect your time and physical safety.

Spotting concrete signs that a date monopolizes conversation

Set a clear boundary within the first 10 minutes: if the companion occupies more than 70% of airtime, say a short line that demands an answer – that is a smart, immediately corrective move to protect your time.

Quantifiable signs: they have been speaking for over 42 minutes in a 60-minute meeting; they interjected more than three times in the first 15 minutes; you were asked fewer than two questions; “I” pronouns exceed 60% of sentences. The biggest red flag is when you can barely get a full sentence out.

Nonverbal indicators: eyes that scan somewhere else while you speak, repeated phone checks, frequent late arrivals, or body language that signals uninterested engagement. Those cues pair with verbal domination and predict poorer rapport.

Content patterns to track: the person redirects topics to themselves, treats conversation as everything they need to perform, and ignores your feeling or requests for care. If somebody repeatedly frames every topic around their needs rather than mutual exchange, that pattern is concrete evidence.

Practical reactions: suggest a time-check or a topic swap, ask one focused question and then pause for an answer, or calmly state an example phrase: “I’d like to share next – can you hold that thought?” Choose words carefully, decide whether you want to continue, and be willing to propose other ways to converse if you want better balance. Offer concise ideas rather than long rebuttals to keep mind clear.

When the pattern has been persistent across encounters, consider broader steps: track instances for a week, name the pattern in a short message, or consult an lmft if relational patterns repeat. If mutual exchange keeps losing ground despite feedback, you are justified in stepping away – the cost of staying tends to be losing voice and agency.

Phrases to steer the talk back to a two-way exchange without sounding confrontational

Concrete recommendation: Use a short pivot line that asks for reciprocity and signals a rule change: “I’d love to hear more from you – after you finish, can I share something of mine?” This quick script sets an expectation to follow, keeps tone neutral and opens space for an exchange.

Time-boxing phrase: “Let’s do two minutes each – your turn, then my turn.” If a monologue were to run long (hour-level exaggerations happen), this concrete limit helps you assess balance, gives a visible cue for change, and provides a measurable way to enforce two-way flow.

Non-blaming feeling statement: “I’m feeling a bit bored right now; I’d like to make this more interactive – can we ask each other one question?” Expressing emotion without accusation reduces defensiveness, explains reasons for the shift, and invites short, specific answers rather than performance-style monologues.

Curiosity redirect: “You mentioned X – I’m curious which moment there felt most special to you? I want to hear the detail.” Use follow-up prompts that require personal detail; they steer the speaker from vying for attention to giving open, concrete answers you can follow and reflect.

Reading actions, not just words: “I notice your stories often circle back to the same theme; can you tell me what that theme means to you?” This frames your intervention as observation, not attack, and asks for personal meaning instead of performance or fact-dropping.

Permission to interrupt safely: “Quick pause – I’m curious about you too. May I share a personal example?” Phrasing interruption as a request respects boundaries and reduces the chance the other person will conceal or escalate. lmft clinicians use similar scripts; источник: clinical notes show brief, neutral requests lower defensiveness.

Next-step question: “If I asked you one question that mattered most to you right now, what would it be?” Then follow with your own question; alternating questions creates intimacy in manageable turns and avoids vying dynamics.

Topic swap with a specific cue: “Let’s change topics – travel: Thai food or Thai islands, which were more memorable for you and why?” Giving two narrow options makes it easier to answer, reduces rambling, and provides clear reasons you can follow into deeper personal detail.

When to escalate or withdraw: If short pivots and open prompts fail after a few attempts, assess actions rather than motives: “I’ve tried to share twice and got no follow-up – do you want me to keep listening or pause?” That puts the onus on observable behavior, not character, and signals boundaries without confrontation.

Simple boundary lines to use on a first or second date

Open with a time-boxed plan: “Coffee for 45 minutes works for me; I have an hour free before college class, so I need to leave after that.” Use this to set clear time expectations up front.

If they dominate conversation, say: “I notice the conversation is focused on you; I’d like equal time to share.” This signals you expect balanced communication and gives a cue they can correct.

When conversation becomes aggressive or narcissistic, use a brief exit: “I don’t feel comfortable; I need to go.” No prolonged negotiation, no detailed justification required.

If someone offers an apology and then returns to the same pattern, reply: “Thanks for the apology. I still feel unheard; I prefer to pause this meeting.” That preserves boundaries while acknowledging the apology.

Use a redirect script when they keep drifting: “That’s interesting – can I add my perspective?” This asks for input and resets turn-taking; use it after two consecutive minutes of one-sided talk.

Whenever you notice nonverbal cues – repeated interruptions, gaze avoidance, phone checks – name the behavior: “I’m picking up cues that you’re distracted; should we reschedule?” Naming specifics helped others in similar scenarios stop escalating.

If you feel uninterested early, say: “I’m not feeling a connection; let’s end after this coffee.” Short, honest, preserves time and avoids dragging out an uncomfortable hour.

Use examples to practice: sara might say, “I can do coffee for 30 minutes; I have plans after,” while joanie could try, “I need to leave at 7pm – let’s keep this to an hour.” Concrete limits reduce ambiguity.

Keep notes after each meeting: jot time spent, topics they bring up, and whether they asked about your life. Over several encounters you can judge patterns and decide if continued meetings are worth your time or if future boundaries need to be firmer.

How to test whether his silence is jealousy or disinterest

Begin with two controlled tests over one week: a low‑stakes compliment and a specific invitation; log his messages, response time, question count and tone to spot patterns.

Concrete metrics to record: response latency in hours (under 2h = quick, 2–24h = delayed, over 24h = slow), average message length in words, number of follow‑up questions, and initiation frequency per week. An engaged, interested person typically replies under 6 hours, asks 2+ questions, and initiates plans at least once; someone barely engaged will reply late, with 1 or 0 questions and little planning. Treat these numbers like an analyst – score each behavior 0–3 and total the points.

Jealousy signature: quick but clipped responses, sudden nervous corrections, attempts at control, bringing up other women or asking who you were with, or changing tone when you mention another woman. Disinterest signature: slow replies, short messages, no effort to make plans, letting conversations die and not asking personal questions. A true jealous reaction often contains emotional spikes; disinterest is flat and steady.

Steps to run the tests successfully: 1) Send a neutral compliment and note whether he responds with curiosity or defensiveness. 2) Propose a low‑effort plan (coffee next Tuesday) and watch if he commits or lists being busy. 3) Mention a casual interaction with a coworker or woman friend and observe tone changes. If he becomes suddenly engaged or nervous, jealousy seems likely; if he goes down to one‑word replies, disinterest seems more probable.

Decision thresholds: total jealousy score >5 = address possessive behaviors directly; total disinterest score >5 = consider reducing effort and telling him you want reciprocity. Use these steps to gain understanding rather than assuming motives; small data points show the true direction of your connection.

Actions that justify ending the date immediately

Leave immediately if you feel threatened or unsafe; call a trusted contact, request a rideshare, or ask staff to escort you.

• Physical aggression or unwanted touching. Any grabbing, pushing, forced kissing or attempts to remove clothing is a legal and personal boundary violation; leave, document injuries if present, and contact authorities if needed.
• Direct threats or intimidation. Threats to harm you, your property, or people you know (for example: “I’ll find you”) are a safety breach; exit and call police because escalation can happen fast.
• Drugging or drink tampering. If a drink tastes strange or you see someone add a substance, do not consume more, leave the location, save the drink as evidence, and text a preselected emergency contact.
• Persistent boundary violations after you said no. If you told them clearly and they repeat the pressure, this is a red flag that behavior will become chronic; end the interaction now and block further contact.
• Stalking or obsessive checking messages and location. Repeated messages, uninvited visits, or monitoring your social profiles after a single meeting indicates unsafe fixation; keep screenshots, tell a friend, and file a report if it continues.
• Gaslighting and denial of what was said. If you heard a clear comment and they insist you misheard or “didn’t understand,” treat that as a manipulative flag and leave; gaslighting escalates over time.
• Explicit racist, sexist, or violent language. Slurs, calls for violence, or celebrating harm make any further interaction unsafe; exit immediately, record quotes if you can, and report to venue security.
• Pressure for immediate long-term commitment. Demands to make long-term plans or declarations of love on the first meeting, especially paired with guilt tactics, indicate poor boundaries and emotional coercion.
• Repeated monologue with no reciprocal interest. If the other person focuses only on themselves, answers every question by centering their insecurities or achievements, and shows zero curiosity about you, end the encounter–reciprocity is a baseline.
• Identity fraud or major lies. Clear, verifiable deception about marital status, job, or criminal history is grounds to stop meeting; verify through independent channels and cease contact.

Immediate checklist to follow:

1. State a short boundary phrase: “I need to leave now.”
2. Use your phone: call or text a contact, share live location, or request a rideshare.
3. Document: screenshot messages, record time and place, note names (for example, if Mark or Sara confronted you), and save receipts.
4. Notify venue staff or security if present.
5. Block and report the account or number if messages continue.
6. Contact police if you feel threatened or if physical harm occurred.

Signs that should particularly raise concern: repeated checking of your phone without permission, refusal to stop after you told them to, grandiose claims that make no sense, or language that sounds controlling. Each is a concrete flag, not a minor quirk.

Practical notes: keep an emergency contact preselected in your phone, share plans with a friend before meeting, and save this article or checklist to refer to. If you feel afraid to leave, call someone and say a safe phrase that makes them act immediately.

Small experiments to reveal if jealousy leads him to ignore or control you

Quick recommendation: tell him you’ll meet a friend named Alex for coffee and track concrete reactions – is he checking your phone, pressing for the name, questioning your plans, or shutting down? Note whether he moves from curious to possessive; a narcissist reaction often prioritizes control over being a listener to your schedule, and if he wasnt interested in discussing your reasons that’s significant.

Run a boundary test: say you need one hour inside after a group evening and observe if he respects the break or escalates; controlling signs include physical attempts to follow, persistent checking of messages, quick demands about your future, or minimizing your request. Record tone, exact phrases, and whether he frames the situation as your problem or his concern; if he claims things ended because of small choices, treat that as data, not drama.

Third measure: share neutral information about an experience that worked for myself or a colleague and watch if he logs details fully or redirects the story toward himself; if he typically seems threatened, avoids admitting insecurities, or gaslights you, document those experiences. If you feel afraid to ask direct questions, actually press for concrete answers, tally the responses over several instances, and decide seriously whether the pattern reflects temporary stress or persistent control.