| Adapted from an online discussion. Hi, Carolyn: My father-in-law is very chatty, to the point where it’s affecting my relationship with my in-laws and plans for social engagements. In a social setting, he will find someone to talk to and just talk nonstop in run-on sentences, telling stories and anecdotes that don’t often make sense. Sometimes people will try to walk away and he will follow them and continue talking. Often the people he has cornered will look at me wanting help to get out of the conversation, or will come up to me afterward and complain. It has caused fights between my husband and me. There have also been cases where my parents’ friends have made negative comments to my parents about my father-in-law’s lack of social skills. It’s gotten to the point that I don’t want to throw large parties anymore because I know I’m going to be anxious about friends getting cornered, and I’m feeling a little embarrassed. I need some advice on how to handle this. — Embarrassed | 
