How to Handle People Who Constantly Interrupt You

There are few things more annoying in conversation than being constantly interrupted. Whether it’s a colleague who jumps in every time you’re mid-sentence, a friend who turns every story into one of their own, or a partner who cuts you off without even realising it, the result is the same – you feel unheard, disrespected, and exhausted.

This isn’t just about rudeness. It’s about power dynamics, communication breakdowns, and sometimes even deep-rooted emotional triggers. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “Why do I bother talking at all?” – this article is for you.

Let’s break it all down and walk through practical, tested ways to deal with chronic interrupters – at work, at home, and socially. And no, you don’t need to shout, sulk, or sink to their level.

Why Interruptions Happen (More Often Than You Think)

Before you can fix it, it helps to understand it. People interrupt for different reasons:

Understanding which one you’re dealing with helps you tailor your response. A kind-hearted friend who interrupts because they’re enthusiastic deserves a different approach than a boss who cuts you off to assert control.

How to Handle Interruptions

Step One: Don’t Internalise It

Let’s get something straight. Being interrupted constantly is not your fault. It’s not because your stories are boring, your voice is soft, or you take too long to get to the point. Chronic interrupters interrupt everyone.

Still, if this happens to you often, especially in meetings or group settings, it can start to eat at your confidence. You might second-guess yourself, speak less, or stop trying altogether.

That’s exactly what you shouldn’t do. You deserve to be heard. Even if you’re a soft-spoken person. Even if English isn’t your first language. Even if you’re the youngest in the room.

Step Two: Watch for Patterns

Is it always the same person? Do they interrupt everyone or just you? Is it worse when you’re talking about certain topics?

Track the pattern. You don’t need a spreadsheet (unless you’re into that kind of thing), but a simple mental note of when, where, and how often it happens can be illuminating.

If someone only interrupts you during strategic meetings but not casual chats, this could be a power play. If they interrupt everyone, they might just have poor social awareness. Context is everything.

Step Three: Decide If You Want to Call It Out

Let’s be real – some situations call for graceful redirection, and others need a full-blown boundary. Whether you address the interruption directly depends on your relationship with the person, the setting, and your personal comfort level.

Option 1: The Gentle Nudge

This works best for the enthusiastic or unaware interrupter.

• “Hey, I promise I’ll let you jump in – but let me just finish this thought first.”
• “Hang on one sec – I’ll come right back to what you were saying.”
• “Almost done – just a little more context!”

These are non-confrontational ways to reclaim your sentence. You’re not accusing. You’re not escalating. You’re just finishing your damn point.

Option 2: The More Direct Approach

Perfect for colleagues, friends or family members who need a little more structure.

• “I’ve noticed that I don’t often get to finish my thoughts when we talk. Could we try letting each other finish before jumping in?”
• “When I get interrupted, I lose my train of thought. Can we slow things down?”

This can feel awkward the first time you try it, especially if you’re not used to asserting yourself. But practice helps. And surprisingly often, the other person genuinely didn’t realise what they were doing.

Option 3: The Firm Boundary (When You’re Done Playing Nice)

Some people do know what they’re doing. These are the ones who steamroll conversations, correct you mid-sentence, or constantly pivot the spotlight back to themselves. It’s not just annoying – it’s rude.

Here’s what firm sounds like:

• “Please let me finish.”
• “I’d like to complete what I was saying before you respond.”
• “It’s hard to express myself when I keep getting interrupted.”

Short. Calm. No apology.

This is not about being rude. It’s about showing them what’s not acceptable anymore.

Step Four: Use Body Language to Hold the Floor

Words aren’t the only weapon here. Body language can be a powerful shield.

Try these subtle but effective tricks:

• Raise your hand slightly when someone tries to jump in – it signals you’re not done.
• Lean in slightly, hold eye contact, and keep your posture upright to convey confidence.
• If they do interrupt, simply pause and stay silent until they’re done, then calmly say, “As I was saying…”

This pause-and-reclaim tactic is surprisingly effective. You don’t have to shout. Just be steady.

Step Five: Use the “Broken Record” Technique

This is a classic assertiveness tactic and it works wonders with persistent interrupters.

Let’s say someone keeps hijacking your story with their own:

You: “So I went to the doctor the other day – ”
Them: “Oh! That reminds me of the time I – ”
You: “Right, but as I was saying – I went to the doctor…”
Them: “Yeah, mine said – ”
You: “I’ll get to that – I just want to finish what I was saying first.”

Keep returning to your point, calmly and clearly, like a scratched vinyl. Eventually, they’ll either give in… or feel so awkward they’ll stop. Either way, you finish what you started.

In the Workplace: Interruptions in Meetings

Work settings are where interruptions do the most damage. They undermine authority, kill collaboration, and often silence quieter team members.

If this is happening to you in meetings:

1. Set expectations at the start: If you’re leading, say, “Let’s make sure we let everyone finish their point before jumping in.”
2. Enlist allies: Talk to a colleague beforehand. Ask them to back you up if you’re interrupted. Example: “Let’s hear her out – she was mid-point.”
3. Use tech to your advantage: If your company uses platforms like Zoom or Teams, suggest chat features or ‘hand-raise’ options to create more structured discussion.
4. Document and follow up: If you were interrupted before finishing an important idea, email your contribution after the meeting to ensure your input is heard.

If you’re managing a team, you should actively watch for this. Interruption-heavy environments discourage creative voices, especially from introverts or underrepresented groups.

What If It’s Your Boss?

Ah yes, the tricky one. When your boss interrupts, it can feel like you’ve got zero power. But even here, there are ways to gently push back.

Try this in one-on-ones:

• “I want to make sure I explain this clearly – can I walk through the whole thing before we discuss?”

Or in group meetings:

• “I’d like to finish my thought – then happy to take feedback.”

You don’t need to challenge authority to assert boundaries. You just need to frame it around clarity, efficiency, or collaboration – things your boss already values.

And if it becomes a chronic issue affecting your role, you may need to raise it professionally with HR or use 360° feedback tools.

In Friendships and Relationships

This one gets emotional, fast. When someone you love interrupts you all the time, it feels personal. Like they don’t respect you, or your thoughts don’t matter.

But here’s the twist: sometimes they think they’re being helpful. They’re “finishing your sentence,” or “adding to your point.”

Still not okay.

Try saying:

• “It makes me feel unheard when I get interrupted. Can we both try to listen fully before responding?”
• “I love talking with you, but I sometimes feel like I don’t get to finish my point.”

These statements focus on how you feel, not what they did. It’s a subtle difference, but one that softens the delivery and encourages empathy.

If they care about you, they’ll listen. And if they don’t – well, that’s data.

When It’s You Doing the Interrupting

Yeah, let’s be honest. We all do it sometimes. Maybe out of excitement. Maybe because we think we already know where the other person is going. Maybe we’re just tired and not listening properly.

If someone calls you out on it – don’t get defensive. Say thanks. Apologise. And try to do better.

A good rule of thumb is: if someone’s talking, don’t think about what you’re going to say next. Just listen. You’ll be surprised what you pick up.

Don’t Let Them Steal Your Voice

Here’s the big takeaway: being interrupted constantly chips away at your confidence, but only if you let it. You don’t have to accept it as “just the way things are.” You have options. You have tools. And you absolutely have the right to speak.

If you’re navigating this in a professional setting and need additional strategies, or wanting a psychological deep dive, this Wikipedia article on conversational dominance offers fascinating context.

Final Words

Being interrupted can feel like a million tiny paper cuts. But the solution isn’t always yelling louder – it’s about using smart, calm tactics to assert yourself and take your space. You don’t need to fight every battle – but you do need to stop shrinking.

You deserve to finish your sentence. Every. Single. Time.

And if you want help building those soft skills professionally – confidence, communication, assertiveness – consider checking platforms like Fiverr for coaching or communication training. It’s a solid investment.

Here’s to being heard.

Simon CEO/CTO, Author and Blogger

Simon is a creative and passionate business leader dedicated to having fun in the pursuit of high performance and personal development. He is co-founder of Truthsayers Neurotech, the world's first Neurotech platform servicing the enterprise. Simon graduated from the University of Liverpool Business School with a MBA, and the University of Teesside with BSc Computer Science. Simon is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Professional Development and Associate Member of the Agile Business Consortium. He ia also the President of his regional BNI group.

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