Remember that family and friends are happy to help and don’t mean anything bad by telling you that you finish other people’s sentences. This is a measure to help you stop a bad habit. If it’s a part of your family’s culture to have “high involvement style” conversations, you may want to ask friends or even close coworkers to cue you into when you’re finishing people’s sentences.
Try this technique with other situations. If a friend or family member is on the phone, simply sit and don’t say anything. Respond in your head if necessary, but try and focus on yourself and not saying anything.
Use this technique in formal settings or even with friends if you are really having trouble not finishing other people’s sentences. You can easily say, “I’m really trying to get better about focusing on what people are saying instead of reacting. ”
Nod your head or say a simple “Yes” while the person is talking, but nothing more. This not only reinforces your desire to not speak but also shows the person that you are paying attention to what he or she is saying.
Draw a long breath before you start to respond to another person. If the person is still speaking when you’re done inhaling and exhaling, take another breath. Repeat this procedure until the person is finished. Try gently biting your tongue if breathing doesn’t work or the sound overshadows your conversation.
Remember that even if your interruption wasn’t meant negatively, the person may perceive it that way. If you’re worried about how the person thinks of you, remind yourself that staying silent for a second longer can’t hurt and may help you in the long run.
Try putting your hand under your chin as a reminder to listen before speaking. Watch the person’s habits. Does your friend always hold doors for others? This can show you that the person is polite and considerate.
Watch the person’s mouth to see if they seem finished with the statement or sentence. Say, “Was there anything else you would like to say about that? You have some great points and I have something that I think can really add to your point of view. ”
Say, “I’m terribly sorry about interrupting you. I just got so excited about the topic and didn’t mean to offend you. ” Explain to people that you come from a culture where rapid exchange and finishing people’s sentences is common. Tell the person you’re trying to get better about it and that you’re sorry for interrupting him or her.
Be aware that even if you are simply trying to show excitement or intimacy by finishing someone else’s sentence, that may not be the message you are sending. Instead of sending the message, “I know and understand you very well,” the person may think, “You’re putting words in my mouth. ”
Consider your background. Many cultures, including East European, Mediterranean, African and Arab, have a type of conversation called “high involvement style. ” This means that finishing the sentences of others is a way to establish a relationship. If you grew up in one of these cultures, it may explain why you finish people’s sentences. Be aware that women are also more likely to finish people’s sentences than men. As with some world cultures, this is also a way of establishing a bond between people. Consider other factors in your finishing people’s sentences. Are you shy and find it difficult to assert yourself or enter a conversation in another way? Do you find it difficult to focus on the other person? Are you impatient when it takes a person a while to get to the point?
Think about conversations you’ve had with people in the past and how they progressed. Did you take advantage of a pause in conversation, chime in together with the person or just flat out finish the person’s sentence? Figuring out the ways you interrupt can cue you into how bad your problem is. [12] X Research source
