US EditionAsking Eric: Father’s simplistic questions frustrate son
- A 35-year-old son says his 67-year-old father repeatedly asks simple, Google-able questions during one-on-one and group chats, causing frustration after one or two repetitions.
- The father says his questions `give us something to talk about`, and the columnist suggests this may stem from insecurity or a desire to add material to keep the talks going.
- A practical tactic is to give a short answer then add trivia like `Who was Princess Grace of Monaco married to?`, or ask the father to find and report the answer using Wikipedia.
- The columnist urges readers to call this week and make a brief commitment, framing it as a gift to the father and his friends, who have stopped calling.
- The columnist recommends reframing annoyance, practicing transparency when appropriate, and seeing benign questions as expressions of wanting to keep talking, following advice from the Alzheimer’s Association.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Asking Eric: Aging dad insists on asking me questions he can Google much easier and I’m fed up
Dear Eric: I’m 35 years old with a dad who is 67. We talk frequently about business, sports and politics. We talk just by ourselves and as a group with my wife and mother.
Asking Eric: My dad’s silly questions make me want to stop talking to him
Dear Eric: I’m 35 years old with a dad who is 67. We talk frequently about business, sports and politics. We talk just by ourselves and as a group with my wife and mother.The issue is that my dad asks me questions that are simple to look up online. They very often do not relate to the conversation and are silly.
The Mercury news
Orlando SentinelAsking Eric: My dad’s idea of conversation is to ask silly questions
Eric Thomas: It's frustrating to be treated as Google.
Asking Eric: I know my dad is just reaching out, but his silly questions (easily Googled) get on my nerves
Dear Eric: I’m 35 years old with a dad who is 67. We talk frequently about business, sports and politics. We talk just by ourselves and as a group with my wife and mother.
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