Sounds similar to the weird habit I have of wishing people a hapy birthday on my own birthday.
They go 'happy birthday melkor!' and I reply, 'Yeah! Happy birthday!'
Hrm, I can usually say goodbye, but yeah, when I'm having one of those rare chats with people I only know online, I do tend to be...hrm...reluctant to hang up?
Though normally it's mostly their fault, because I say 'Okay, you can go now' and they just sortof ramble for a while longer...
No idea why they enjoy talking with me so much, and I doubt the Ulster accent helps.
:X