There are various reasons why people offer unsolicited opinions. Let's take a look at some of them:
People interrupt or join conversations for a variety of reasons, including:
Conversational narcissism: They want to make the conversation about themselves and get attention from others.
Impatience, goal-drivenness, or control: They want to get straight to the point or steer the conversation in their desired direction.
Excitement:They are excited about what they hear and want to share their thoughts and feelings without waiting for their turn.
Unawareness:They are unaware of their interrupting behaviour and think that it makes the conversation more dynamic and engaging.
Cultural or family background:They are influenced by a culture or family background where interrupting is seen as natural or acceptable.
Gossiping: They gossip about other people's antisocial behaviour or injustice, which gives them a sense of pleasure and soothes their bodies.
How to deal with interruptions:
Listen actively: Show that you are listening by paying attention to the speaker's body language, making eye contact, and nodding your head.
Ask open-ended questions: This will encourage the speaker to continue talking and give you more information.
Set boundaries: Let the speaker know that you would like to finish your thoughts before they interrupt. You can do this by saying something like, "Excuse me, but I would like to finish my point."
Give feedback: If someone interrupts you frequently, you can gently give them feedback about their behaviour. For example, you could say something like, "I notice that you interrupt me a lot. I would appreciate it if you would let me finish my thought before you speak."
It is important to remember that everyone interrupts from time to time. If someone interrupts you unintentionally, there is no need to be offended. However, if someone interrupts you frequently or rudely, it is important to set boundaries and give feedback.