Why People Interrupt Each Other
People cut one another off in conversation for many reasons. Some people can’t wait to express their views, while others believe interruptions make conversations more exciting. Others interrupt in order to take control of a conversation or show that they know more than the speaker.
Sometimes interruptions are acceptable, even welcome. An interruption may contribute an important or timely fact or detail that enhances, rather than hinder, communication. But most of the time interruptions are a nuisance. Therefore, it’s important to know how to manage them effectively.
1. Address the Problem
With chronic interrupters, you won’t get far by being polite or subtle. Your best bet is to ask the person to let you finish what you’re saying. There are many ways to do this, for example:
- “Please allow me to finish telling the story before we open the matter up for discussion.”
- “I value your suggestions, but could you please not interrupt and let me finish my thoughts? We can open the topic up for discussion after that.”
- “I’m glad you’re eager to chime in, but I’m not done yet.”
- “Would you mind if I finish?”
- “One moment, please.”
