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Just wondering what you guys do when you run across this. Our company president is one of those who constantly interrupts. Constantly. Initially I attributed it to insecurity and just let it go. Now I say -- with increasing anger -- something like, "I was not finished," or "Excuse me, I was in the middle of a sentence," or more sarcastically, "May I finish my sentence" or the old stand-by, "Sorry to keep talking while you interrupt me."

That shuts him up and for a while he watches his manners, but then it starts again. I'm not trying to annoy the person who owns the company, but really, this is getting old.

I thought about saying, "Pardon me, but were you brought up in a barn," but I don't think that would go over too good. Any suggestions, and does this sort of thing happen to you?

I tend to murder people like that.

Those people are control freaks. Always wanting the upper hand in a conversation - hence the interruptions.

My ex was like that. One of the reasons he's an ex.

When someone interrupts, I find a cold, hard stare of intense anger in their direction is usually pretty effective...

a quick pimp slap to the face should be sufficient.

I interrupt them back after about 2 seconds, give no feedback or attention to what they said, and continue where I left off as if there was no interruption. It takes a few times at first but seems to work well in getting them to stop for the remainder of the conversation.

Fable saida quick pimp slap to the face should be sufficient.

^^This man's on the right track.

Then quit talkin' so damn slow!


("And I, just, like, think that, you know, that, maybe, if we, like, do this, then, you know, it might, like, you know, be, like, bad.")

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Interrupting cow.

Interrupting cow wh--?

MOO.

Just keep talking over him until he stops. Then once he's done talking over you, repeat what you just said.

I agree that he and his habit are a royal pain in the rear, but remember, his company makes your lifestyle possible with that thing called a paycheck. Sounds like it may be time to move on and let him revel in his world without spoiling yours.

BigSETXjock saidWhen someone interrupts, I find a cold, hard stare of intense anger in their direction is usually pretty effective...

Well I'm not so sure... That hottie that interrupted our Dumb bell lateral raise today... who asked for a spot. Well Lets just say I was let standing there with two dumb bells while you ran off to "assist him" I think I got the cold stare there

BigSETXjock saidWhen someone interrupts, I find a cold, hard stare of intense anger in their direction is usually pretty effective...

That's great! I'm gonna do that tonight at work.

Oh I don't do interruption.

I will stop the conversation flat out and put it back on track. There is no need to indulge really bad behaviour.

Terry

Okay, so let's see if we have the right picture:

Group of guys standing around the mail area...employee says to the others, "You guys won't believe my weekend, it was so great...blah blah blah..."
Boss interrupting: "Shouldn't you guys be doing something more productive like working?"
Employee retorts, "Excuse me I was in the middle of a sentence..."

Is that about it? (just kidding, of course...)

gulp... I am the bad guy here. I interrupt and don't even know I am doing it. Sometimes it is because I think the other person is done, but that period turns out to be a comma.

Generally I don't even know I am doing it. I also tend to start fixing problems without realizing that the other person wasn't asking for help.

Between these two things I have figured out that it is because I am living at a faster (my parents are from NYC) pace of life than people function down here in Baltimore-Washington. It is even worse when I am over seas or in the South. I have started counting to 10, in my head, after I think the other person finishes, to slow myself down. Sometimes even that doesn't work.

Basically what I am trying to say is... don't lump those of us who do that without knowing it, with those of us who just think they are more important.

BigSETXjock saidWhen someone interrupts, I find a cold, hard stare of intense anger in their direction is usually pretty effective...

Let's see how good that works after I poke you in the eye..
nuk nuk

Have you tried serving a "slice of that pie" right back at him? Interrupt him when he is speaking and when he objects, point it out. Then your point will be presented when he is feeling what you mean.

...so, just how up-to-date is your resume? ...

Hit that bitch with a bottle.

But if you like your job:

Just casually mention "as I was saying" EVERYTIME after you were interrupted.

If I don't really know the person, I let it slide. When I notice it happens far too often - as in more than once after the initial offense - I usually just say, "excuse me, but I wasn't finished speaking yet."

Normally, if nothing else, this startles the interrupter into silence. Seize this split second opportunity to finish your story!

The second in command at work does this to me all the time. I take it as a sign that he has no respect for me.

What about the idiots who insult

Once upon a time I cared about interruptions in my lectures. The very effective trick I was taught was to stop at the first sign of interruption and begin the lecture again from the beginning. The students sort out the interruptors pretty quickly.

Nowadays, I don't care. It's their loss, I get paid anyway.

May not work too well in a work environment.

Do what judge Marilyn Milian from the People's Court does and respond firmly and harshly with, "Excuse me but did I breathe and give you the impression that I was done speaking?!" That'll shut him up real quick.

I continue to talk and I raise my voice and if they STILL continue, I look at them and say "Um, yeah my turn then when I'm done, you can talk. Thanks!" Works EVERY TIME!!

I hate it when ppl interupt. I mean why even bother to ask the question if you are not going to wait for an answer?

When it happens to me i usually keep talking until i finish.

Once upon a time there's a person who always interrupts my sentences. A few days later, people had found his dead body floating on a river...

If it's a presentation, tell him you'll take questions only after the presentation. If he interrupts, kindly remind him again and continue presenting. Some people can only learn through repetitive conditioning.

If it's during a casual conversation, you'll have to give examples on how a scene usually plays out with him...cause it could also be you contributing to the problem. Perhaps you talk slower than normal, talk too quietly, or you tend to go in tangent before getting to the essential points. But these are just my speculations...I really don't know the two of you

if im not done and someone trys to talk over me i tend to continue talking but raise my voices as to make it clear that i am not done speaking and i continue talking with a raised voice until they stop talking lol.

jprichva saidKnock, knock.

Who's there?

Interrupting cow.

Interrupting cow wh--?

MOO.

holy crap jp, you are in my head. wonder how many people DON'T get that joke? brazilliant! thanks for the laugh.

I know a few people like your boss. I have found, though, that they never think they are doing anything wrong. I've even heard some of them complain about how another person talks too much or interrupts and won't let them say anything. It can be fun to put a few of them together and watch the conversational chaos.

metroPAULitan said

jprichva saidKnock, knock.

Who's there?

Interrupting cow.

Interrupting cow wh--?

MOO.

holy crap jp, you are in my head. wonder how many people DON'T get that joke? brazilliant! thanks for the laugh.

*scratches head*

I didn't get it. What's an interrupt-

MOO!

-ing cow?

That was a funny one....

"Sorry to keep talking while you interrupt me."

I'll have to try that out sometime.


I basically interrupt right back and say, "I wasn't finished talking and you interrupted me." That usually works every time.

Or even better yet. Let them interrupt. Once they finish - wait a couple of seconds as if you're taking the time to process what they've just said. And then say, "You interrupted me while I was talking. I wasn't finished!"

It sort of intensifies the response and then they give you the floor a lot more willingly.

Funny thing is, a lot of these people who DO the interrupting, I find, are the ones that get all bent out of shape when you interrupt them.

Well let me say I really did laugh when I read your thread... there are probably alot of people out there that would love to say to their company president...

"You interrupted me" and assessed the situation much the way you did. My assumption is.. you aren't too concerned that you might suffer some negative results
(including job security) by being sarcastic to him.

I think you've already used more lines than I could.
Good for you. I'm more impressed with the fact you
are taking action with the situation rather than just sit and stew.

DCEric saidgulp... I am the bad guy here. I interrupt and don't even know I am doing it. Sometimes it is because I think the other person is done, but that period turns out to be a comma.

Generally I don't even know I am doing it. I also tend to start fixing problems without realizing that the other person wasn't asking for help.

Between these two things I have figured out that it is because I am living at a faster (my parents are from NYC) pace of life than people function down here in Baltimore-Washington. It is even worse when I am over seas or in the South. I have started counting to 10, in my head, after I think the other person finishes, to slow myself down. Sometimes even that doesn't work.

Basically what I am trying to say is... don't lump those of us who do that without knowing it, with those of us who just think they are more important.

Are you kidding?

guilty of it. Pisses my older brother off.

But, my biggest pet peeve, is when i say something funny (which is often ;-)
and people around me didn't really hear it. And then someone says the exact same thing and everybody cracks up at them!

I want to start screaming "I said that! I am the funny one! Love ME, Pick ME!"

When I am interrupted, I just stop speaking. It's not easy to carry a conversation with someone who is not participating. I hate interrupting people, but my best friend, when she starts talking, can keep talking for hours. So I usually have to break in and excuse myself, when she's not talking to me. I hate doing it, but have found if I don't I just end up staying later than I had planned. lol.

Interrupting is rude. So is making a big deal out of being interrupted, particularly in front of third parties. Unfortunately for you, this man is the president of your company. Employees pretty much have to endure the annoying habits of their bosses so long as those habits don't rise to the level of harassment.

If his interrupting you really bothers you - which I'm betting it does from your initial post - I'd try to schedule a private meeting with him. Ask him if he has a problem with your presentation style. If the interruptions occur in front of clients or people who report to you, say that you feel the manner of these interruptions may send a signal to these people that your opinions and performance are not valued. Tell him that you feel your performance is being hindered by the interruptions and that you would be more effective in your job if you were able to take questions and feedback at the end of a presentation, rather than in the middle. You have a greater chance of him altering his behavior if he connects his current behavior with lowered job performance from you.

But, ultimately, he is the company president. There's really no one to appeal to in this. If you bring up your problem in a respectful and professional way, and he does not change your behavior, your choices are to deal with it or find a new job. Publicly chastizing him for interrupting you is not a good route, and may well have a negative impact on your own career path, either directly within the current company or by giving you a bad reputation for not recognizing the difference between employer and employee.

sdn8 saidguilty of it. Pisses my older brother off.

But, my biggest pet peeve, is when i say something funny (which is often ;-)
and people around me didn't really hear it. And then someone says the exact same thing and everybody cracks up at them!

I want to start screaming "I said that! I am the funny one! Love ME, Pick ME!"

ROFL

Well... THAT was funny. Now since you kindly identified yourself as an interrupter... please

I do try and control it. But I have so many random thoughts that if I don't blurt it out, I'll forget.

And anyways, I am more important and interesting. I do love the sound of my own voice. I am uber interesting. MOOO!