I think I use the language to distance myself from the person I'm talking to, or rather to acknowledge the distance I feel. It feels like I'm getting to personal about my life sometimes if I'm using names, especially if I feel that the person doesn't have an active enough interest in my life to remember the names I use.
Other people may be trying to use the possessive to identify their life with other people, either to show how connected they are or to talk about lives they live vicariously. Possibly.
possessive case and distance
I think I use the language to distance myself from the person I'm talking to, or rather to acknowledge the distance I feel. It feels like I'm getting to personal about my life sometimes if I'm using names, especially if I feel that the person doesn't have an active enough interest in my life to remember the names I use.
Other people may be trying to use the possessive to identify their life with other people, either to show how connected they are or to talk about lives they live vicariously. Possibly.