"Been there, done that" is a common response from someone who is more self-interested than interested in actaully teaching you. So your guy is really just saying, ride with me and you will learn. It has some success, and it works in it's own way, but it just takes time. If you want to learn faster, you need to find someone who dedicates time for you and is more of an instructor rather than someone who just rides.
Basically, with learning something new, I think finding someone who understands how you learn is the key, (strengths and weaknesses)... be that an instructor, friend, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend... other other than that or a larger part of that is having the right personality to give the "student" the energy they need... trust communication, instruction, feedback, which comes from that relationship. Some people are responsive to verbal or written communication and others to non-verbal and more active, expressive communication.
Strengths and weaknesses in relationships are often highlighted when learning together or assuming a teacher/student situation too. So lots of *fun* or *chaos* can result... be aware of this and find a someone who you are comfortable with, or work first at establishing some guidelines with the person helping you out.
The more positive motivation the better - a bigger goal, reason to learn, fun, support, encouragement, etc. --- some people need subtle encouragement, some rationalization... some need verbal sing-song, and others just a demonstration to watch (just as you follow your guy around and learn by mimicking), or a little focusing of attention on one specific control or one contact point at a time (pick one for ten minutes of riding: rear brake, front brake, clutch, throttle,... or for contact points, try to feel what the bike is communicating through your hands, feet, thighs (i.e. gripping the fuel tank), while turning left, right etc).
The learning methods all depend on the individual, so I try a little of each to see how people react. Once you get to a new level of comfort in your riding, you revist old areas, and you'll often find new feelings and discoveries, new insights. Also as you gain comfort, your less rational mind will give you new ideas to try and you should later consider what it was telling you, and why it may have worked better than your previous riding technique.
A large barrier to learning is institutional instructors who are often confined to rigid methods and have there own limiting beliefs. When someone is having a difficult time learning something new, the variety of learning approaches should be tried, and also the limiting fears can be sorted out. Often with immediate success. Poor instruction is often the largest hindrance to learning. Ive seen some of the worst instructors and often taken time to explain these things to instructors, and sadly, instructors with big ego's, limited or single methods of instruction, miscommunication, and impatience are the biggest problems. There own inability to consider that they are limited and inferior riders to many others.
I've seen students who were more adept than instructors. It happens. Many instructors become stagnant (unmotivated, unchallenged, lazy, or overwhelmed by workload, etc.). Everyone needs motivation to learn and the best instructors and ongoing students themselves always looking to advance skills. Instructing groups is never as effective as individual instruction either.
so that's another 2-cents to consider...
throw out what doesnt make sense and try out the stuff that does, then revisit the ideas again at a later time..
"Zounds! Zorched by Zarches, Spaceman Spiff's crippled craft crashes on planet Plootarg!"
For Sale: Ninja 600 with parts bike, needs minor work, $30, no title... (GEE THAT DOESNT RING ANY WARNING BELLS DOES IT?)