Interrupting can be very hurtful and unhealthy relationship behavior. But what is really going on? Your partner might be in a bad mood, frustrated, resorting to bullying, or simply unaware. Interruption might be part of someone's habitual style of talking.
People that interrupt you all time have their own problems, but that doesn't mean you need to point them out. Chances are that a friend who talks over you is insecure, afraid that their own opinions will be challenged.
"Talking over" someone simply means "continuing to talk even while the other person is talking" (or making some other noise). It doesn't have anything to do with rank or social status or anything like that.
When Interrupting is Rude. Interrupting is rude when it gets in the way of the speaker transmitting their message effectively (completely, concisely, clearly). As a shorthand, interrupting is rude if the interruption is about you, your ideas, your wants rather than about what the person is trying to communicate.
Don't interrupt, or try to “one up” people, just acknowledge them and then ask another question. Your domination tendencies can be curbed with a little bit of effort and some basic courtesy and concern for others. You'll also gain the benefit of better relationships as people learn how much you really care.
There are plenty of narcissist traits, but monopolizing a conversation is one of the most obvious. Narcissists talk over or interrupt other people during conversations to express their views or talk about themselves. This behavior can border on a compulsion, cowing others into total silence for minutes at a time.
argue. review. dispute. canvas. hash (over or out)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (445) A conversational narcissist is someone who constantly turns the conversation toward themselves and steps away when the conversation is no longer about them. They are generally uninterested in what other people have to say.
That said, various forms of excessive talking can show up as a symptom of some mental health conditions: Pressured speech often happens as part of manic or hypomanic episodes. Disorganized speech can show up as a key symptom of schizophrenia and other disorders of psychosis, along with schizotypal personality disorder.
Conversational narcissism can also have its roots in a lack of social support. If a person is so busy, never having enough time for friends or family, when they do get time they take hold of it with both hands and dominate the conversation. They have so much built up to say that there is no time for anything else.
Interrupt the interrupter.
If someone interrupts you, it's fair to interrupt them back. Try this – next time someone interrupts you, say, “There are a few more essential points I need to make. I'll need a few more minutes to do that.” Or, simply, “I'm not done, let me finish.”
People talking over you is not unusual at work. It might happen when someone wants to take the floor, monopolize a discussion or force an idea on everyone else. People often want to be right, they want to win or be superior, so people talk over others.
They may be afraid of intimacy. "Not listening" may be their way of ignoring the difficult feelings you want to talk about. Your partner may disagree with you and/or not want to hear your advice, thoughts, or opinions. They may want to spare your feelings by not telling you what they really think.
transitive verb. : to review or consider in conversation : discuss.
It's what they learned in childhood. It's a cultural thing (family, relationships, geography) It's a narcissistic thing. It's an insecurity thing.
Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements. Make achievements and talents seem bigger than they are. Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate. Believe they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally special people.
Narcissists also gaslight or practice master manipulation, weakening and destabilizing their victims; finally, they utilize positive and negative emotions or moments to trick others. When a narcissist can't control you, they'll likely feel threatened, react with anger, and they might even start threatening you.
Interrupt them.
You don't like to interrupt because it's rude. But when people monopolize conversation you have to do what you can to get heard. Sometimes, when the over talker won't take a breath, you simply have to interject. They may try to re-interrupt you in which case you must persist in finishing your thought.
Manterruption is a standard operating procedure in our society because men believe women are less important. The moment a woman starts speaking, men do not pay attention to them. They are convinced that their ideas are far more valuable and they become extremely eager to express them, thus triggering the interruption.
For example, cutting people off as they speak, dismissing ideas without listening to them, facial expressions that express contempt and even eye rolling. Disrespect is communicated in all of these subtle, nonverbal ways (and more). It doesn't take words and it can be just as damaging.