Foo - Really? How about a yes or no

So there is this guy that kinda works for me and has no ability to communicate effectively. I have to go visit one of his customer's to address some issues they are having. Looking at the schedule, he is supposed to be there. So I call him up and ask "Are you going to be in Biloxi tomorrow?" and instead of a yes or no question, I get "Well I'm in Nashville today and I'm doing some stuff up here... blah... blah... blah..." I set the phone down and walk off to refill my coffee and when I get back he's still talking. 10 minutes later and he's done talking and I still have no idea if he's going to Biloxi tomorrow. I ask again, he goes off on another tangent about what he's doing in Nashville and begins telling me about what he's doing the day after the day I am referring to. I really hope I don't come off as an ass to him but I had to interrupt him with a "Dude, I don't mean to cut you off, but all I need is a yes or no as to whether or not you're going to be there tomorrow." I pretty much have to tell him that during every conversation. That's 20 minutes of my time that I will never get back.

Yeah - I have some people like that who are my friends, especially my roommate - it took them 20 minutes to get out what they could have stated in 2 sentences.

Is this guy my father-in-law? Oh, wait, my FIL is an only employee of his company, heh. Most of my friends and wife's family are like this, including my wife, though. Weird.

You need to hook that guy up to electrodes. Whenever he gives an unnecessary response, shock him. Turn the juice up progressively. Maybe you can teach him to keep it breif and to the point that way.

I have the same issue but not to that extent. I blabber on and on for a few minutes until a part of my brain realizes what I am doing.
My mother does the exact same thing.
At least I am cognizant of my own deficiency.

So there is this guy that kinda works for me and has no ability to communicate effectively. I have to go visit one of his customer's to address some issues they are having. Looking at the schedule, he is supposed to be there. So I call him up and ask "Are you going to be in Biloxi tomorrow?" and instead of a yes or no question, I get "Well I'm in Nashville today and I'm doing some stuff up here... blah... blah... blah..." I set the phone down and walk off to refill my coffee and when I get back he's still talking. 10 minutes later and he's done talking and I still have no idea if he's going to Biloxi tomorrow. I ask again, he goes off on another tangent about what he's doing in Nashville and begins telling me about what he's doing the day after the day I am referring to. I really hope I don't come off as an ass to him but I had to interrupt him with a "Dude, I don't mean to cut you off, but all I need is a yes or no as to whether or not you're going to be there tomorrow." I pretty much have to tell him that during every conversation. That's 20 minutes of my time that I will never get back.

just say: "cliff notes, please"

You did get a coffee break. just sayin.

Had a guy that worked for me that was similar. I'd ask a question that was pretty simple in nature and he would go into a long dissertation on what I asked. While that's bad enough, he changed directions several times from what I asked to many different topics. I think his whole goal was to confused me so bad that I would simply walk away. It usually worked.

I ask for these people to get out the paint roller instead of the detail brush. That stops them as they ask "Wtf??" my reply two strokes or less. That usually gets them on the right path.

I usually tell people that I know that like to give long answers to questions that I just need a yes or no right from the start. If they start going on with some long answer, I remind that it was a yes or no question that I asked. If I need details, I will ask more questions. Usually this works ok, because I set up the conversation by saying that all I need is yes or no.

I usually tell people that I know that like to give long answers to questions that I just need a yes or no right from the start. If they start going on with some long answer, I remind that it was a yes or no question that I asked. If I need details, I will ask more questions. Usually this works ok, because I set up the conversation by saying that all I need is yes or no.

I have tried this with this guy. He doesn't get it. I don't even think he's aware that he is doing it. The funny part is that his explanation usually has nothing to do with the question asked.

You can use the same tactic I use on telemarketers who won't give me a straight answer on anything. Plain and simple, tell him "stop talking."

Most people are jaded to the phrase "shut up" and tune it out when it's spoken to them. It's overused and carries little weight any more. Tell someone to stop talking, and you're not fooling around. The phrase "shut up" has been co-opted to mean anything from its original intention of 'close your mouth and be quiet' to an expression of disbelief not unlike "No way!"
"Stop talking" is a simple direct order without room for creative interpretation. Don't precede it with "please" or the speakers name. It's meant to be delivered in the same fashion with which you would give commands to a dog: Stern and forceful, but not angry. I've found that it takes the wind out of someone's sails rather quickly when I address them like a disobedient puppy.

Had a guy that worked for me that was similar. I'd ask a question that was pretty simple in nature and he would go into a long dissertation on what I asked. While that's bad enough, he changed directions several times from what I asked to many different topics. I think his whole goal was to confused me so bad that I would simply walk away. It usually worked.

This sounds like anytime I ask my wife about the strange charge on the Credit card, after I tell her I didn't want to spend any more money that month.....:rolleyes:

I get a 30-45 minute discourse on the meaning of life, the universe, and everything, and only after all that do I get an answer to my initial question. :twitchy: It just requires persistence is all.

This sounds like anytime I ask my wife about the strange charge on the Credit card, after I tell her I didn't want to spend any more money that month.....:rolleyes:

I get a 30-45 minute discourse on the meaning of life, the universe, and everything, and only after all that do I get an answer to my initial question. :twitchy: It just requires persistence is all.

I've grown accustomed to any SO doing that. I think it's second nature for women. Sorry ladies, I'm not sexist, just honest.

Thats what you get for "kinda" hiring an unreliable person to "kinda" work for you. :rolleyes: Maybe you should "kinda" fire him.

Thats what you get for "kinda" hiring an unreliable person to "kinda" work for you. :rolleyes: Maybe you should "kinda" fire him.

It kinda might happen next week.