THERE comes a point when one stops listening to people.

In my profession all you ever seem to do is listen to what other people are saying. I would say I am about all listened out.

It is not that I don’t care what people have to say, but now I can switch off in mid-conversation.

I wasn’t able to do this before, but now whilst talking to someone I can nod as if I am listening and get away with it.

Rather than concentrating on what the other person is saying I am trying to figure out if I can get home earlier if I avoid the main road.

Just last week I had a full conversation with a friend about how rubbish the weather was. At the same time I realised that I knew the words to ‘Top of the World’ by the Carpenters.

I am not sure this skill can be taught to the next person and I think you have to reach a certain age to be able to master the ‘I’m still listening face’.

This face is best used when talking to women. I’m sorry to admit this but I really do not care what was on sale in Next.

But I will never let on so as not to seem rude.

The real skill is remembering things, even though you have no idea what the other person said.

As I approach 40 … yes 40 … I can easily remember odd words from a conversation and piece them together and have an answer ready.

The skill comes into use when you are in a big crowd. When I was younger, I would stand in a crowd of people at a dinner and hoped that I recognised someone.

Now, the opposite is true. I just hope I don’t know anyone and if I do I hope they are not aware of my ‘Yes, I’m listening face’.

There is nothing finer than standing in crowd of people in a corner and being able to sip your orange juice in peace.

I think again that big Four O has something to do with it.

The best conversations are had in supermarkets and on the side of football pitches. Everything else … well it doesn’t really matter.