googled "impulsive talking" definition and came up with all of this...

nonverbal learning disability
nonspecific learning disability
ADHD
Asperger's Syndrome
high functioning autism

from link below

"Although AS or NLD doesn't prevent it's sufferers from having a "normal" adult life, there's little information about the eventual outcome for most children with AS or NLD. Some NLD/AS adults have been able to achieve a level of personal and professional success in various jobs including teaching, writing, even sales. AS adults are often drawn to a career that relates to their own areas of special interest, and may become proficient. Thus childhood fascinations may form a basis for an adult career. With the right supports and accommodations, adults with AS / NLD can be successful, contributing citizens and employees. Some of the brightest individuals with AS or NLD represent a unique resource for society, having the single mindedness and consuming interest to advance our knowledge in many scientific disciplines. Many of these will never seek diagnosis; since their differences do not cause insurmountable problems at work or in relationships, they simply accept their idiosyncrasies. Gillberg estimates 30-50% of all Aspergers' go undiagnosed (Gillberg, 2002), and the same is probably true of NLDers'. Often, successful adults became aware of their condition only after having children similarly afflicted.

In many cases, however, adults with NLD / AS have several college degrees, yet are unable to find or keep work that matches their strengths and abilities. The reason for this is the disparity between a high verbal and a relatively lower performance IQ score of NLDers and ASers. While verbal IQ is most indicative of academic achievement, performance IQ points to the ability to achieve success at work. Thus, though they attain high levels of education and skill, they may fail to hold down a job and earn a living. A high percent are either unemployed or underemployed. Just 12% of Asperger Adults are in full time employment, and only 3% live independently (Barnard et.al., 2001). There is no current data on the employment of individuals with NLD, but almost half of those I know with the disorder are unemployed, and many others underemployed. It's appalling that so many who are educated, articulate, skilled, honest and hard-working remain chronically unemployed.

Because of their high degree of functionality and their naivet those with NLD / AS are often viewed as eccentric or odd. Subtle differences cause difficulty in social interactions and workplace relationships. For example, their inability to read nonverbal signals makes interpersonal communication a challenge. Their rigid style and peculiar perspective exacerbate the problems. Because the AS/NLD employee has trouble with eye contact, he can be perceived as inattentive, evasive, or rude. Difficulty with modulating volume and tone of voice can make him appear angry. Problems with understanding body language, social cues, or even facial expressions makes it hard to know what is expected and often leads to misunderstandings. Until he's verbally told, he may not be aware whether the boss is happy with his work or is disapproving. At that point, it is usually too late."

Here is a link that might be useful: article by Yvonna Fast

That's an interesting take Don, and could explain a lot. Independent business owners are a target for people with that disability. Unlike boxes where it's hard to even find a clerk, when they come to a home business, they know you are a captive audience. I'm basically a wholesaler, so am not staffed for a high retail volume although in years past, I would gladly accomodate word of mouth, walk-in customers.

There is distinct dichotomy then. I can move a few thousand dollars of merchandise in five minutes over the phone, and the next hours spend an hour to make a three dollar sale to the compulsive attention seeker. Usually after them changing their mind ten times, and asking me to pick out the best merchandise and then they finding fault with it. My take were that they were lonely people, who "paid" for some attention and florists are cheaper than psychoanalysts. Like you, I find it very hard to be rude to somebody who isn't out of bounds.

Dear oh dear oh dear. I guess none of you should come down here into the south. This kind of behavior goes on all teh time & is considered quite normal. I know several people who never can meet a new person without going through about 6 generations of their family history. Most everyone down here is related somehow to everybody else & I guess they just like to connect.

It's hard for me to picture a woman walking outside the front door of a museum and wait for people to arrive in order that she can tell them about herself..without thinking she has some heavy baggage somewhere. If someone did that to me my first reaction would be she really needed some help and her being just rude wouldn't even enter into my head. It sounds more OC than anything else,at least to me it does. Poor woman.

Andie,southerners are used to the greeting "Hey how'r you and how's your mamma and all 'em? "
No wonder we talk endlessly, we have big families. :0)

Maybe she was not only southern but been in her house for a month and was just plain lonely.LOL

What Gandle described may have been the result of a disability, but it's far, FAR different from the Southern greeting, which may indeed be extensive and detailed, but is not inappropriate for the setting. G's visitor was speaking and acting in a totally inappropriate manner.

I, too, have been captured by this sort of person -- and it leaves one feeling both befuddled and victimized. The verbal diarrhea is 95% irrelevant and occasionally embarrassing in providing personal details which most people would hesitate to discuss with a confidante, much less a total stranger. The speaker is not unaware of the person being talked at, but is unable and/or unwilling to converse on any subject other than whatever personal details are going through their mind at the moment. Nonetheless, basic good manners -or our job- compel us to listen and to attempt to respond or to attempt a change in subject, all with little effect. The last time, I was not only forced to listen to her life details, but she grabbed my arm and often leaned into my face for emphasis. And, I'm sorry, but I know of no other way to handle this situation than to endure while trying to distract (oh yeah, exterior doors are GOOD). And take two aspirin afterwards.