If you have been reading Nancy’s Soapbox, you have found me to be typically upbeat, pleasant and positive. Every once in a while, I have to get on my soapbox and spew. It is great for the soul and might actually teach people something, I hope!
One of my pet peeves is being interrupted during a conversation. It has happened to me more than once. Actually it has happened too many times. I will be talking with Person “A” regarding business, or whatever, and Person “B” will walk up to Person “A” and start talking, ignoring the fact that I am conversing with Person “A.” It does, for the record, happen the other way around. Person “B” ignores who I am talking with and starts talking to me, ignoring Person “A.” This has happened in social situations and business meetings several times. It has even happened at the monthly Happy Hours I host. I have never heard an “excuse me,” or “I am sorry for interrupting,” or anything else along those lines. They just continue their conversation and then walk away. If it is a matter of life or death, like “hey, the building is on fire,” or “we ran out of booze,” then I can accept that, but usually it’s all about them.
Did they not learn social manners as a child? Did their parents not explain to them that interrupting is unacceptable. This is part of the unwritten social rules that we should all know if we are going to be successful in the business world. If they act that way with their friends, that’s fine because they probably all are from the same set of rules. Should we chalk it up to the “me” generation’s way of conducting themselves? I hope not.
This is only one little irksome thing that I have observed in the world of people. Trust me, there will be more comments on manners in the business world from me very soon.
