How do you force a conversation out of someone who is bent on just giving one-word answers?

simple, keep giving one word questions.

lol.

funny but wont work with a headstrong type.

I had interaction with someone like that many times and I researched them over the years here is what I think:

1) They are wanting to discourage others from continuing contact with them - they are either so caught up in what they are thinking about or focusing on that they just want to make you go away or they aren't engrossed in anything and they just want to make you go away or they know very little about the topic and don't want you to know that they have no real idea of what your question is about and instead of being honest and telling you they don't know, they just either agree or disagree.

or

2) They have a hidden agenda and they are wanting to give you very little feedback to discourage your digging deeper

There is just so long that you can continue to have one-word responses without it getting really old and/or being viewed as negative on some level by others.   Most people, even shy ones will elaborate on a topic(s) at some time or another versus just one word answers all the time.

I wouldn't trust that, I would see that as odd.

LouisThoru:

simple, keep giving one word questions.

i don't tink that will work lol

This person in question, I believe is in pain and being very defensive about opening up.

I am trying really hard to get the person to open up as I believe this might help heal some of their pain.

Dont suggest reference to a therapist of phychologist as this person will not move an inch at the sound of the shrinks

SHY-ONE Thats not true jor. I'm an introvert naturally. Not that i don't know anything about the topic been discussed, it jxt that we like that (keeping to our shell) . Poster all u need is an entrovert to balance the equation.

^^^I agree with you but, did you mean an extrovert.

Yes madlady tnx. Was a typo

@ kokoye

Ohhhhh -ok

I wish you luck with this.

@ Vic2k3

Thank you for the correction and the thought process, interesting, I will remember that.

Na wah for this spammer o

@ post.

I can only try. Just sad when you know a close friend is hurting terribly and you are trying to help but theyre pushing.

The person lost a loved one. He's kept to himself for over 3weeks now.

start beatting him up. with time we will tal more

Ice234 u're crazy .

If he really trusts you and he's truly hurting, he'll open up. Work on buying his confidence. If you fail, take him out and get him sozzled. Alcohol really sets some bells chiming, never fails!

kokoye:

@ post.

I can only try. Just sad when you know a close friend is hurting terribly and you are trying to help but theyre pushing.

The person lost a loved one. He's kept to himself for over 3weeks now.

Some times people need to be by themselves to work things out. Let him know your there when and if he needs you.

kokoye:

The person lost a loved one. He's kept to himself for over 3weeks now.

Ha. I dint see this. Please lay off him jare. You know his wahala and you r still crowding him to talk. What do you want him to say? Leave him alone. Only time can heal him. You can only be concerned if he hibernates for too long. But three weeks? The wound's still fresh na. Haba!

^^^

Three weeks indoors and not wanting to talk to anyone??

I am truly scared for him.

I have loved a lost one before (child) and after a while I felt better with close friends around cheering me up.

But I guess we all different.

Just keep checking on him. Be there when he needs you to be, I went through that, it was horrible, just checking on them and be kind and loving.

^^ sure we're different. Some people love working out probs in isolation away from the crowd. Maybe thatz the kind of person he is. Without trying to undermine your friendship, i think his answering in monosyllables is a sign of growing irritation. Just stand by him and let it flow. You r a good man

I will try . . but I really feel concerned for this person.

He's locked himself up in his house for 3weeks . . no work, nothing. He's all alone holed up.

he's not even picking up other people's calls.

Like I said, I know the feeling so I have stopped calling for a few days now.

But I am truly concerned.  I know him very well to be a cheerful person . .now locked up on the house for 3 weeks . .alone?

I also dont want him to lose his job. Businesses dont care after a while.

It is very important that you stay in contact with him. Try to contact him at least once or twice a week. Reach out to him. I locked myself away for a few months and it took a very close family member to "force me" to talk, wake, eat, shower, etc,

Your concern for him is your "inner God voice" talking to you and directing you to contact - you are a man - he is a man, there must be a way for you to reach out.

I will pray for you and him.

^^

Thanks and God bless.

This one don pass dont be silly!. Bros, the stage for mollycuddles has passed. You must coerce him to sit up and live. What is he thinking? If he's not on compassionate leave and has not resigned, he MUST go to work. Drag him if u have to. He'll hate u now but later, he'll thank you. He can't wake the dead if he loses his subsistence can he? Drag am!

^^^

I thought you said earlier that I could be getting him irritated.

See now why I am concerned.

This thread is gay

lol

funny.

Tis meant to discourage u from gettin closer-" bac off, I'm not rili in da mood"

Persistence oftenm pa
ys attimes

kokoye:

^^^

I thought you said earlier that I could be getting him irritated.

See now why I am concerned.

You didn't mention the bit about work did you?