by 
Simon Williams from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, has today attempted to remain engaged in a conversation with a fellow worker, even though he couldn’t care less about its subject matter.
Speaking afterwards Simon said: “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever attempted to do. I knew last night that I would have to have this conversation today, so I prepared myself as best I could.
“I tried to get a good night’s sleep. I ate a good breakfast and got to work early in the hope that we could get it out of the way quickly.
“When it began I thought I was ready. I told myself to focus, but as I did that it hit me. I realised by telling myself to focus I was in fact not concentrating on what was being said. This, in turn, began to stress me out, because I realised that realising I was not focusing was also removing my focus on what was being said.
“Then my mind drifted to last night and how I’d tried so hard to prepare, and all the while I was watching my co-worker’s lips moving and a murmur of something about his kids or something floated by me.
“As the conversation ended I realised that I must have a glazed look on my face, so I tried to smile, but I know the deadness of my eyes gave it away. It was a fucking disaster.
“I think I’m going to ignore him from now on. It’s just not worth the effort.”
