I find people who can’t get outside themselves to be annoying and boring on canoe trips.   
You’ve all met someone like this.  They are everywhere! 

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It’s the guy who does the “one-upsmanship” thing.  He responds to any story with his own experience on the subject -- and it’s usually bigger or better. 

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It’s the guy who only talks about himself.   

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It’s the guy who never responds with a follow-up question to a story; something like: “Wow, I didn’t know that,” or “Gee, you must have been happy when that happened; literally ANY response that doesn’t involve his own story.   

Sadly, I think the art of listening is becoming a rare and disappearing skill.  Listening requires a genuine interest or curiosity in others.  It’s not a competition to tell your version of the same story.  It’s an interest in learning about another person life story. 

It’s hard to have a conversation with people who don’t know how to listen.  Having this kind of person on a canoe trip can make for a long trip. 

prouboy