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> I really don't know how to deal with this kind of situation on my own. I've tried everything. The only thing that has ever really worked is the hyper-aggressive "excuse me, I wasn't finished", spoken at a volume slightly louder than the person interrupting (so basically shouting). I have the same problem and likewise, this is the only thing that I've found that works. When someone talks over you, you stop, right? And they probably ramble on, oblivious? Each time this happens and you don't act on it, you're training them to talk over you. After a while, they won't think twice about interrupting you, and at that point, you have to be quite aggressive to turn things around. It's really hard, but the best way to avoid this is train yourself out of stopping instantly when someone talks over you. Instead, keep talking and make eye contact with them. This is a pretty strong social cue to show you're not finished. If they keep talking regardless, then directly comment (and it only needs to be mildly, since we're behaving as if it's accidental) on the fact that you weren't finished. If they're still going after that then either they have a better point than you and they have the authority to interrupt you, or they're being a prat and everyone will be noting this behaviour, not just you. I'm still pretty bad at this, but I'm getting better, and it does get easier with practice. |
Although it probably doesn't come across this way from my previous post, I'm actually pretty relaxed if someone innocently/accidentally interrupts me. I'll usually do the whole 'no please, after you' thing. But I can see how I might be creating a rod for my own back if I do this in the wrong situation...
So thanks again for the advice: I need to stop conditioning others to interrupt me. I'm assuming I'm not allowed to go in the complete opposite direction with this though: immediately applying aversive stimuli when it happens. It might be a little unprofessional :)