The term “Boomerasking” is trending: It’s the social “faux pas” everyone is guilty of

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By MJ Bradford, March 25, 2025

Every been asked a question about yourself, only to have the conversation be all about the other person?

Or have you asked the question so that you can talk about yourself?

It’s called “boomer asking,” a question asked so you can eventually start talking about yourself.

The question always comes back to you, hence the term “Boomer(ang.)”

The term is gaining traction after a study found the most common examples of these so-called boomerang questions and why they could hurt your social interactions.

According to the study “boomer asking” is a three-part move. First, someone asks a question. Then they wait for your answer. But instead of building on it or engaging with it, they simply answer their own question, turning the conversation back toward themselves.”

Top examples include.

1: Ask-bragging: “How was your vacation?” quickly followed by, “Mine was amazing. I went to Italy for two weeks!”
2: Ask-complaining: “How’s work?” followed by, “Ugh, I’ve had the worst week.”
3:Ask-sharing: A neutral disclosure, like talking about a dream or a casual opinion, right after asking about yours.

Most “boomer askers” believe they’re being polite or thoughtful by asking the question first, but they often appear annoying.

So, if you don’t want to seem self-absorbed, try asking follow-up questions instead of turning the question back on yourself