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Don’t interrupt people
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| It will get you into Trouble in the US |
| Many of us here in the Silicon Valley come from areas or countries where interrupting is more a sport and contributes to the generally good, lively atmosphere in a discussion. However, interrupting and not listening well are serious infractions here in the USA. |
| 1. Listen until someone is really finished speaking and then make a comment. |
| 2. If this is hard, as it is for many of us Europeans, take a deep breath or put a rubber band on your finger when you attend a networking event as a reminder to not rush in with your answer. |
| 3. Curb your enthusiasm, listening attentively and quietly is frequently more the norm here than overseas. |
| 4. Express your point of view without being forceful. |
| 5. Be patient – with yourself and with the speaker who is trying to get his/her point across. |
| 6. Pace the speaker, adjust your gestures and expressions to mirror that of the person to whom you are speaking. |
| 7. Watch yourself when you speak to someone new, this is an excellent moment to change your habit of interrupting. |
| 8. Find friends who will alert you when you’re responding too fast rather than listening. |
| 9. Let’s give ourselves a break, old habits are hard to change. |
| 10. However, if we try, we should be able to adapt our speaking, hold back our impulsive interruptions, and wait until the others have finished. If not, we may not be asked to come back. |
US Professional Business Communications for International Executives and Entrepreneurs