Buzz
Interrupting someone mid-sentence can come off as disrespectful, or it can be an effective way to steer the conversation forward. It all hinges on your motivation and how you approach the interruption.
Pick the Brain outlines two situations when interruptions should be avoided: finishing another person's sentence (acceptable in close relationships but less so at work), or hijacking the conversation to talk about yourself (“I get what you mean... once, at band camp...”). Both of these can make the interrupter appear impolite. Some individuals feel compelled to interrupt because they fear forgetting their thoughts, but focusing solely on remembering your point instead of listening to the other person isn’t a strong communication method.
Conversely, Pick the Brain suggests there are moments when interruptions can be beneficial: for instance, when you need clarification on what was just said or to bring the conversation back on track (like in a meeting).
The essential point is that interruptions should serve the dialogue, and it's important to recognize when we interrupt unconsciously (we all do it!).
Image courtesy of pedrosimoes7.
