Just Ask Elizabeth: What To Do When You Are Being Talked Over?

Dear Elizabeth,

I am so tired of people not listening. They often talk right over you as you are speaking. Any advice?

Signed,
Annoyed in Akron

Dear Annoyed in Akron,

I, too, have noticed that people do not listen. They talk loudly and expect you to listen, even when you are talking. I hold up the “stop sign” hand signal and remind them that we are discussing not debating. I do it quietly and they often get it and I am able to chime in when they stop talking. Try it and see if it works for you.