What should you say when someone talks "above" you?

Question

I love my boyfriend, but often he's been talking about fixing up his old trucks. He tells me stories about carburetors, removing the engine, readjusting the axels... I know he's just excited, but I have no idea what he's talking about, and he knows this. When I zone out, he gets upset that "not even listening to" him. How can I politely tell him that I am happy for him, but I don't really understand what he is talking about?

Answer 1

when my boyfriend talks about things i don't understand, i ask a ton of questions! but mostly because i like asking questions and listening to him tell me things. so maybe you could ask him to clarify things.

Answer 2

How about just that?  "I don't really understand what you're talking about...why don't you show me?"  Shows you're interested and, further, that you're willing to share in this interest.

Answer 3

Ask him questions on what that means.. so that you can understand better. If not Just tune him out, and nodd your head every once in a while. haha

Answer 4

jus go along with him (pretend you know what he means)

but don"t over do it by saying "yeah,yeah/i know what you means" to everything he says

Answer 5

I think you hit the answer right on... say you're happy for him, but you're sorry and don't understand the lingo!

Answer 6

Well, it sounds like he just wants to feel like you are listening to him, even if you don't understand what he is talking about. What's so wrong with smiling, nodding, and commenting on what he's saying. For example, the next time he tells you about removing the engine or adjusting the axles, say something like "wow honey, that sounds like alot of work." Do you talk to him about stuff that he knows nothing about or has no interest in? Just put yourself in his place. How would you feel if he 'zoned out' when you were talking to him? There's nothing wrong with pretending to be interested...

Answer 7

Thumb through a book on Basic Auto Mechanics.

    Then you can ask him some intelligent questions

    instead of zoning out. If his vehicles are his passion,

    your relationship will be better for it.

Answer 8

my boyfriend does the same thing about cars and sports.

just listen to him, it makes him happy because he likes to talk about it. just smile and even ask questions about it, that would show him that you are interested(even if you're not.lol) and it would let him know that you are at least listening to him.

Answer 9

If your boyfriend is important to you, you might want to consider learning more about what he is passionate about.  Ask questions when he starts talking about carburetors and other machinations.  He will love you for it, and even if the relationship does not last forever, no mechanic will ever be able to take unfair advantage of you.

Answer 10

my bf and ill be in the car and another car will pass us and it could be night and he could tell what kind of car it was by the head lights!! omg and cold air intake valvues and smoked out lights and this kind of engine dose that ! i use to get confused and just tune it out... but he would bcome frustrated and who wouldnt if i was telling him somthing i wouldnt want it that way so i sarted asking questions like how , whats that, how dose that work and you wanna know what... i liked talking to him about that stuuff it made him really happy ... and now i can keep up / sort of : / but its nice bonding experience even if i dont share the same passion and knowlege about these things ... but hey at least im there right?

Answer 11

You have different interests; I can assure you he would not understand all of your hobbies or interests either. Friends of mine had this same issue; the husband was fascinated with astronomy and would go on and on about it to his wife and she would totally zone out. Just the fact that everyone has different interests.