10 signs that you interrupt the interlocutors, but do not notice it

You don’t always notice that you interrupt other people. However, to become a great companion and friend, you need to figure out whether you do this. At first glance, it seems that interruption is purely a problem of impoliteness or lack of upbringing, but much more complicated: our desire to speak out can be associated with a lack of attention in childhood, and with a fear of being unnoticed, and with a simple ignorance of the intricacies of communication etiquette.

If one prevents others from finishing a thought, the conversation quickly turns into a battle of monologues, where there is no real exchange of ideas. Gradually, colleagues and friends begin to avoid communication, and loved ones express discontent, and in a variety of forms: from direct reproaches to passive aggression. But the problem is compounded by the fact that many who regularly interrupt do not realize it themselves.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 signs that signal that you may be interrupting others without even noticing it. The material is written in the style of world journalism and will be interesting to a wide adult audience seeking to improve their communication skills and want to avoid mistakes in communication.


Main part
1. Your conversations often turn into a “progress game.”
You notice that there is tension inside you: once the interlocutor speaks, you already form an answer or a counterargument in your mind. You do not listen to the end, but try to “shoot” your line first. If this happens systematically, you're likely interrupting people by suddenly inserting your speech.

• Symptom: You think that “inaction” in a conversation is an omission, and you need to urgently say something before the interlocutor is finished.
• Danger: The interlocutor feels understatement and understands that he is not listened to, and want to “shut up” or pull attention.

2. People often tell you, “Listen to the end.”
Direct signals from others often indicate a problem. If you’ve heard the phrase “I’m not finished yet” or “Let me tell you,” it’s likely that you’re actively interrupting. You may not know what you are talking about: “Did I interrupt?”

• Feedback: This is the most reliable indicator, given that a person sincerely expresses discomfort.
• Council: If you notice such comments, try to consciously pause during the conversation before responding.

3. It seems to you that “everything is clear” a second before the end of the interviewee’s phrase
One of the reasons for interruption is the feeling that you already understand what the interlocutor will say and are ready to respond. This is an illusion: many arguments and thoughts are revealed only at the very end of the sentence. By interrupting, you risk not hearing the key detail.

1. Typical example: You think, “I already know what he meant,” and you intervene. In fact, the interlocutor may have added an important clarification, but you missed it.
2. Problem: Incomplete understanding of a person’s position, which leads to misunderstandings and conflicts.

4. You notice that you often speak louder than others by shouting.
When a person starts raising their voice to “take away the word,” it’s a clear sign of interruption. Some people do this accidentally, being in emotional excitement, wanting to express their thoughts. However, from the outside, it looks aggressive and causes the interlocutor an unpleasant feeling that his opinion is not considered important.

• Signal: You get the feeling that you are “not paying attention”, and you try to “break through” someone else’s speech with loudness.
• Alternative: Wait for a pause, ask for the word politely: "Can I add?", "I have an interesting addition."

5. Inadvertently finishing sentences for others
In an effort to show that you are in the topic, you “intercept” the speech of the interlocutor, ending the phrase for him. Sometimes this is done with the best intentions – they say, “I understand you”, “here we are on the same wavelength”. But a person can be unpleasant, because you do not allow him to express the idea himself, and sometimes distort its meaning.

1. Warning: If a person is constantly correcting you: “No, I did not mean that,” then you are interrupting.
2. Council: It is better to express understanding in another way, for example: “I understood correctly what you want to say...” and let the person finish the thought.

6. It feels like a conversation is a competition.
If you feel an internal competition for each line - who draws attention to themselves - chances are you tend to interrupt. In healthy dialogue, cooperation, exchange of opinions, not ego battle is important.

• Example: In a discussion about personal experience, everyone tries to insert their story as early as possible, preventing others from finishing.
• Alternative: Realize that conversation is not a stage where the main goal is to shine, but a space where opinions are complementary.

7. People “snip out” or prefer not to talk to you for long
If your co-workers or friends soon reduce communication to a minimum, they may just feel uncomfortable discussing something with you. One of the reasons may be that you often interrupt. The person does not feel that he is being listened to, and loses enthusiasm for communicating.

1. GUESS: someone close to you casually says that it is “difficult to have a dialogue” or “you do not let me put in a word”.
2. Danger: Long-term relationships can suffer as communication becomes one-sided.
3. Decision: Learn to practice “active listening”: look in the eye, ask clarifying questions, confirm that you heard the interlocutor.

8. It’s hard to wait for a pause, and you say, “Sorry for interrupting, but...”
Some people realize that they are breaking into speech and try to smooth it out with a formal apology: “Sorry for interrupting, but....” The constant use of this phrase indicates an already established habit. You may not have time to catch the moment of a natural pause, as you are “burning” with the desire to speak out.

• A careful test: Try for one day to completely refrain from the phrase “sorry for interrupting” and see how difficult it is. If it's very difficult, there's a signal.
• Tact: Find a way: if the thought is important, write it down briefly, and then voice it when the person finishes the line.

9. You almost always end a conversation on your note.
In friendly communication, it is important to give a partner the opportunity to conclude a conversation. If 90% of conversations end with your last phrase, it could be a sign of an authoritarian communication style. You involuntarily decide that you have said the “last word”, although the interlocutor may want to sum up or clarify the details.

1. Manifestation: At the end of the conversation, you immediately change the topic or end the conversation, not wondering if everything is clear to the partner.
2. How to change: Try to end the conversation with “What do you think is the end?” or “Do you have anything to add?” Give the person a sense of participation.

10. You feel “guilt” after the conversation.
The last and perhaps most subtle sign is that after a meeting or phone conversation, you have a strange feeling that something was wrong. Maybe you felt like you didn’t let the other person talk, “pushed” forward with your thoughts. Your subconscious mind catches the imbalance of the dialogue.

• Nuance: This feeling may be blurred, but if you analyze it, you will understand: “I took the initiative and did not stop.”
• Tool: Ask yourself, “Has the person said what he wanted?” If not, you probably interrupted.

Conclusion
Interrupting the interlocutor is not only a matter of politeness, but also a marker of our attitude to people and to ourselves. Sometimes the habit of interrupting hides deep fears (that we will not be heard, that time is short) or emotional blocks (the feeling that “my speech is more important”). Whatever the reason, understanding the problem is the first step to solving it.

If you find one or more of the signs on our list, don’t despair: bringing mindfulness to everyday conversations can make a difference. Try to pay attention to how you listen for several days in a row. Instead of reacting immediately, let the other person finish the thought. If the thought arose early, write it down briefly - you will have the opportunity to speak after a pause.

It’s also helpful to develop active listening skills: how do you show that you hear a person? Supportive cues ("Yes, I understand", "I agree"), questions of interest and non-verbal cues (nods, eye contact) - all this creates a trusting atmosphere. Relationships built on mutual attention, in the end, bring you more satisfaction, because you feel true contact, not the noise of monologues.

Thus, controlling the habit of interrupting is an important component of communication culture. Appreciate the words of the other, learn to resist the urge to say “the last word” in time, and you will see how positive the relationship will become, how better you will be heard and how much more respect and sympathy you will receive from relatives, friends and colleagues. After all, a great interlocutor is not the one who speaks best, but the one who knows how to listen as well as talk.