"TMI" could mean a lot of things. Do you mean "too much information"? And could you precise what you want to know exactly? For instance: "When is the information that you are requested to give too much?" Further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TMI ------ (ADDED after clarification) -------- "TMI: (informal) Too much information, an expression indicating that someone has divulged too much personal information and made the listener uncomfortable. He began to talk about his last trip to the underwear store. I told him, TMI! When Chris updated his status with "just ate entirely too much. Should make for a great bm to share with someone later," I thought it was TMI." Source and further information: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/TMI For me, a bad thing that can happen in "too much information" is giving confidential information involving other persons that the person telling it, especially if I know those persons personally. Same thing if this information is not given to me, but requested, like details about former lovers. I think that the person I am talking to does not need details to those facts, but just the necessary to understand how I am reacting to them. I find that a person giving a lot of information shows a lot of trust - or takes a lot of risks. Reciprocity is not always given and cannot be demanded either. The more help you need, the more trust you must show and the more you will have to tell about yourself. I am thinking also of the psychotherapeutical situation. The patient tells a lot more to the therapeut than the other way around: because it is the patient that seeks help.