# Yeah, I talk to myself, I must be goddamed insane **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 25, 2001, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652 "2001-09-25T07:46:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eternal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@Eternal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eternal)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/1 "2001-09-25T07:46:19Z")
Everyone talks to themselves rights? So what if I like to carry on a long monologue to clear some rubbish out of my head. It doesn’t mean I think I’m talking to someone. It doesn’t mean a voice in my head is using my jaw to spread his madness, it just means that I really like being dramatic. So don’t look at me like that, lots of people do it and very few of them are insane. And admit it, you do it to! What I talk about is none of your business. ---
**Author:** ![meyer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@meyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meyer)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/2 "2001-09-25T07:52:27Z")
I’m with you on this one. I talk to myself ALL the time, and I mean ALL the time. Like in the grocery store, on the bus, anywhere. I even tell myself little jokes sometimes and then laugh at myself. All my friends think that I’m insane.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cougarfang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c67d28/32.png) [@Cougarfang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cougarfang)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/3 "2001-09-25T09:01:02Z")
you, insane? then, that makes ME insane too! **Meyer** , i’m just like you. even if no one’s listening, i read out the jokes i find on the web and laugh hysterically. omigawd, maybe i am crazy, if i can laugh at brunette jokes. _d&r_ ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/4 "2001-09-25T09:14:49Z")
What I’ve never understood was the double standard of self-expression. When we see someone walking down the sidewalk and whistling to a tune that’s only in their head, we think nothing of it. But if they’re verbalising a conversation that’s only in their head, there’s the instant assumption of “crazy person”. My explaination is that while most people think to themselves and talk out loud, I talk to myself and think out loud. They still look at me funny, though. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/5 "2001-09-25T09:29:11Z")
Sometimes I think I’m the only one worth my time I can talk too. And there’s absolutely no one as nice, considerate and consolating to me when I wish to work through certain problems. I’m so helpful to myself. Personally I really enjoy the time and will often go out and walk miles out of my way so I’ll have more time to talk to myself. You must be Papoon cause you’re not insane. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/6 "2001-09-25T09:39:05Z")
[Beast Wars] Skorpinok: “Why do you always talk to yourself?” Megatron: “I have a preference for intelligent conversation.” [/Beast Wars] ---
**Author:** ![Enuma\_Elish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5e9695/32.png) [@Enuma\_Elish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enuma_Elish)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/7 "2001-09-25T09:49:34Z")
There is absolutely nothing wrong with talking to one’s self — as long as you don’t start arguing and throwing punches. ---
**Author:** ![Damhna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@Damhna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damhna)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/8 "2001-09-25T10:02:45Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Damhna: > \*\*But you should know you are not alone. > I’ve been interviewed by everyone from Conan to Leno to Larry about topics as diverse as my new movie to that nobel prize I picked up. > > Tonight 20/20 are doing a 2 hour special on me “at home” in my secret mountain base. > > I do it ALL the time. > \*\* [And we are not alone](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=66917) ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/9 "2001-09-25T12:40:07Z")
Hey, just talking to yourself is OK. If you ARGUE with yourself, you may have a problem. If you LOSE the arguments, we put you away. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/10 "2001-09-25T13:57:16Z")
Jules Verne’s character–rats, I forgot his name; he’s Phileas Fogg’s servant in “Around the World in Eighty Days”–aha! Got it: Passepartout– Passepartout says that he talks to himself because not only does he like to talk to an intelligent man; but he also likes to hear what an intelligent man has to say… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TheNerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TheNerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheNerd)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/11 "2001-09-25T13:59:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dijon Warlock \* > **What I’ve never understood was the double standard of self-expression. When we see someone walking down the sidewalk and whistling to a tune that’s only in their head, we think nothing of it.** Actually, I think that’s extremely annoying. Talking to yourself is marginally less annoying, but I avoid both on general principles. ---
**Author:** ![Kwyjibo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@Kwyjibo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kwyjibo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/12 "2001-09-25T14:31:17Z")
I do it all the time. I find it is easier to organize ones thoughts out-loud. Sometimes I go over arguments I’ve had with people, but this time I change what I say the second time around. (We’ve all been in arguments and said, "Damn! I wish I had said ‘this’ instead.) My wife has caught me doing this a few times. I just tell her that she’s jealous that only **I** can hear the “Little People”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kwyjibo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@Kwyjibo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kwyjibo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/13 "2001-09-25T14:31:17Z")
I do it all the time. I find it is easier to organize ones thoughts out-loud. Sometimes I go over arguments I’ve had with people, but this time I change what I say the second time around. (We’ve all been in arguments and said, "Damn! I wish I had said ‘this’ instead.) My wife has caught me doing this a few times. I just tell her that she’s jealous that only **I** can hear the “Little People”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kwyjibo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@Kwyjibo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kwyjibo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/14 "2001-09-25T14:32:25Z")
[sub]Erk…Mods, please delete this and the dupe.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/15 "2001-09-25T15:31:31Z")
Well, I talk to myself too but I hate it when the person in the next cube does it. I can’t tell if they are talking to me or not. ---
**Author:** ![Myrnalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@Myrnalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrnalene)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/16 "2001-09-25T23:41:45Z")
I talk to myself and inanimate objects **ALL THE TIME**. “Hmmmm, maybe I should eat dinner.” “Owww, my ankle itches.” “When will Nicholas Cage GO AWAY?” “Yay!! Scylla’s posted a new chapter of Ewes Sluts!” All these things were said aloud by me in the five minutes before I opened this thread. **The Devil’s Grandmother** , it the person in the cube next to you is a female, and she’s shouting “Don’t start with me, bitch!”, it may be me talking to my computer. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/17 "2001-09-25T23:51:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TheNerd \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Dijon Warlock \* > > **What I’ve never understood was the double standard of self-expression. When we see someone walking down the sidewalk and whistling to a tune that’s only in their head, we think nothing of it.** > > Actually, I think that’s extremely annoying. Talking to yourself is marginally less annoying, but I avoid both on general principles. \*\* Well, yeah, there’s that. But my point was that we don’t think the person’s nuts if they’re being musical, only if their being conversational; which doesn’t really make sense. ---
**Author:** ![JessEnigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cdc98d/32.png) [@JessEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessEnigma)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/18 "2001-09-26T00:40:29Z")
I talk to myself all the time. (Not that anybody ever hears me when I actually speak to _them_…) I’ve confused a few people when I mutter, though. But, not a problem. The problem is when you start conversations with cartoon characters in your head. …it was amusing! I swear! What would you rather do, finish your algebra final or talk to a cartoon character in your head? jessica ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/19 "2001-09-26T01:21:51Z")
I am _ **so** _ there! This thread justifies me. I do everything you guys have said. I always talk to myself, carry on conversations, etc. My last girlfriend thought I was nuts, and told me so because of this on more than once occasion. One time we were driving along she looks over at me and says “You’re talking to yourself”. I say, “I’m carrying on on a conversation.” She says “Who with?” I say “You”. She rolled her eyes and looked out the window. I was just visualizing what we would have said, and when we did talk about it, I was right! That’s not that weird, is it? > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Osiris \* > **Personally I really enjoy the time and will often go out and walk miles out of my way so I’ll have more time to talk to myself.** Hhhhmmmm…this is interesting… ---
**Author:** ![BigGiantHead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b4bc9f/32.png) [@BigGiantHead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigGiantHead)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652/20 "2001-09-26T01:31:38Z")
My favorite part about talking to myself is that no one interrupts me, or judges me, or is just waiting until I get done so they can speak their piece. Like I CARE about their piece. 😉 Also, I have those arguments with other people, just like **MaxOver** ; only I have them BEFORE the real one, not after. Then I can plan out all the clever things ways I’m going to verbally circumnavigate them, and they’re always left stumped. Never works that way when it actually happens, of course. More depressed than ever, - Dave [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-i-talk-to-myself-i-must-be-goddamed-insane/83652.md?page=2)