"It isn’t a conversation because a conversation requires mutuality and new information. What you are describing is a monologue with a required witness.
Why It’s Not Conversing
A real conversation is a "zero-sum" exchange where both people are changed or informed by the interaction. What the narcissist does is different:
Fixed Outcomes: In a conversation, the direction is unknown. With a narcissist, the "end" is already decided: they must be seen as the person with the "correct" taste.
Performance vs. Exchange: They aren't looking for your perspective on the subject; they are looking for a reflection. You are a mirror, not a participant.
The "Captive Audience" Dynamic: Conversations are voluntary. This is a hostage situation where silence is treated as a provocation and disagreement is treated as a "wrong" answer to a task you never applied for."
