There was once a woman in my office who just talk-talk-talked all day long. When she bought a new garbage can made of red plastic, she talked about it nonstop for days, causing me to think murderous thoughts. She tried to involve the people around her in deciding where to place it to the best advantage (presumably to show it off as well as make use of it). I could never figure out whether she actually thought it was an interesting subject or if it simply didn’t matter what she talked about as long as her mouth kept moving.
I never thought she was a narcissist. I just thought she was a compulsive talker with a mind about as vacant as a person’s can be while still functioning as an employable adult. I think a glimpse into her inner mindscape would have been terrifying.
And I always remind myself: These folks drive cars, they raise children, they vote. Don’t forget that.