On why I'm petty, sometimes

You know, there's something I don't get. You know how sometimes you start chatting with an old friend after being out of touch for years? And when you chat, you would ask each other things like "Where are you staying now?" "What are you doing?" "Where are you working?" (or studying, previously)

Now here is what happens when I ask people these questions. Any one of them (questions, I mean). They will give me a really short reply, often consisting of a single word. (or name of a place, depending on what my question was) I mean, they know that we haven't been in contact in ages, and I have no way of knowing what they have been doing all this while. Would it hurt to elaborate a bit? If it were me initiating the conversation, I'd understand...they just don't want to talk to me, I'd conclude. And then I'd leave them alone. But what about when they are the ones who started asking me stuff in the first place?

When people ask me what I'm doing these days, etc...if I don't remember telling them about my current activities, I will tell them whatever I feel they might not know. After all, why answer "I'm in Penang", then have them ask "Doing what?", then saying "Working", then have them ask "Where?", then reply "Bayan Lepas", then have them ask "What company?" or "What field?", etc, etc? WHY?!?!???

I don't get it. But that's exactly what I have to do (the asking) when I'm chatting with an old friend. It gets to a point where I get weary of asking questions (it's like I'm forcing them to tell me their secrets, ya know?)

I get the feeling that they do not want to give me any information about their lives, but seem extraordinarily keen to find out more about mine. Why? Are they trying to come across as caring? Caring about me?? Excuse me, but if you cared, you wouldn't brush aside my questions, would you?

So that's it. I always seem to be giving out information and not getting any back. So now sometimes I will answer one question, then refuse to answer any more until some of my questions are answered in return. Sorry guys, you made me so petty.