Ladies do you find that your husband or boyfriend interupts you when you are talking?

Question

My sociology instructor wanted the women of the class to do an experiment. The instructor stated that men are more likely to interupt people in conversation than women. So she prompted us to have a conversation with a male that is close to us and try to count how many times he interupted you. I tried this experiment last night with my boyfriend and my boyfriend interupted me 6 different times during our 1 hr conversation. What do you ladies think about this experiment?

this is biased because mainly sociology groups people as a whole not as an individual.

Answer 1

I find that men interrupt conversations more frequently than women do. I think it's because men feel that if they have something to say, it's more important than anything anyone else has to say. This is from being married and from working and attending school as well. Also, women are raised to "be nice," and everyone knows that interrupting isn't nice. Little boys are considered cute and precocious when they misbehave, such as "boys will be boys," so their rude behavior has a tendency to be overlooked.

Answer 2

I don't think it's a question of whether men interrupt more than women or vice versa. It's how good of a listener someone is. I don't think I'll be trying the experiment because then I'll be hung up on and keeping track if he interrupts. It then becomes only a game or an experiment and not a real conversation. I guess I've just been fortunate that I have someone who's a good listener. Sometimes when I can't think of a word, he'll try to guess what I'm thinking which at least means to me he's actively listening and involved in the conversation. He doesn't do it to speed me along! You know someone is a good listener when you see it!

Answer 3

I agree with others who said this system is flawed. There is no control group. In all fairness if you tried this experiment on men AND women, the results would be more valid.

From personal experience, my man, strangely does not interrupt me, and the women I am around interrupt me ALL THE TIME!! Maybe thats why I have little female friends.

I start talking, he will just listen or I get argumentative so he knows to just be quiet when im talking or say nothing at all. Some women feel forced to listen to the nonsense another woman has to say because I think women can be just plain domineering. Men dont care for small talk and or arguing. They go through life trying to have as little chaos with women and others as much as possible. Women are the ones that talk excessively and cant get all the words out in just one sentence. I do this and I come across other women that do this all the time. So im trying to figure out what the HELL IS WRONG WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR LOL...report them to the DEAN, unless your question is just missing vitals..

Answer 4

yes. I have noticed the same thing with my husband. I've also had that experience with male bosses and with my male students.

Woman have more practice at verbal exchange than men. We talk more. It's a physiological difference in our brains that makes us communicate verbally more than men. So I think we develop sort of an unwritten code of ettiquette with each other about interrupting.

Men tend to be problem solvers. So if our conversation is about a problem we are having, they are anxious to try and solve it for us. That may be why they interrupt; they have heard the problem and don't need to hear anymore details.

However, this is frustrating to woman. Generally when we talk about our issues, we're just venting and looking for support, not a solution. (guys, pay attention. it will avoid arguments later)

How I handle interruptions with my spouse; When he interrupts me, I stop talking, wait for him to finish and then ask him "Can I finish what I was saying now withou being interrupted?". He ususally gets the hint. Keep doing that and eventually he will get it. Or, start the conversation by asking him ahead of time to listen to the whole story BEFORE he interrupts.

Answer 5

Hmmm, I think that's an interesting experiment. ^_^ One I wouldn't mind trying myself. And the answer to your question is YES!! My Dad and my Husband. I think it falls under the feeling from Males that when talked to we're asking them to "Fix" something. Or in the case of my husband, trying to show that he knows something and I don't. So since I don't seem to know it he's going to make sure I do BEFORE I continue.

Men also work differently in their heads than we do. A woman will wrap in circles in a conversation as she winds around her point. Men usually get right to it and if they are talking direct to another man it's like here are the facts.

Run a comparative experiment.....sit and listen to two men talk. Count how many times they interrupt each other. Be interesting to see if it's just a woman to man thing, or do they even interrupt other men too. Good luck!

Answer 6

Oh yeah! My husband doesn't give a darn if I am in the middle of a joke or a story to someone else. If he thinks of something he wants to talk about, he'll bust right in with his thoughts. Does it in a loud, commanding voice, so people will turn to hear what he wants to tell them.

Doesn't matter what I'm talking about, I just get left hanging, while my husband and the person I was talking to start a whole new conversation, and leave me out of it.

If I say "Excuse me, but I was talking." He will say, "But I want to know about this (other) subject." And if I say "Can't you wait a minute?" He says " MY conversation is important." (Like MINE isn't.)

If I get mad and huff my way out of the room, he doesn't even realize that I've left. His conversation is important. Mine isn't.

I've never counted how often he interupts when its just the 2 of us. I'll check that out.

Answer 7

My own experience leads me to believe your instructor is wrong - both genders are about equal in this capacity.

Also, your instructor's experiment is flawed. She should have asked you to observe conversations between others. When you participate in the experiment, knowing it's purpose, you can skew the results. If I talk to you nonstop, don't you think it's more likely that you'll end up interrupting me of necessity?

Your instructor clearly has a bias. So if you run on at length and tally the interruptions, your results will validate her premise, and you will get a good grade. :)

Answer 8

The man I am dating constantly interrupts me, I am getting so sick of it. He tells me the same stories about his life over and over till my eyes glaze over, and do you think he ever asks me about my experiences? NAH...to busy talking. It may sound silly, but for this reason alone I am feeling lately like I would be better off alone. He treats me very well mostly but I don't want to spend my life with someone like this and know I can be treated better. Lately, I haven't even wanted to hang out with him...I'd rather sit on here with you all. I have wanted to ask a question like this for a while to see if other ladies agree........Anyways, I am young and refuse to settle..I am sure there will be a guy out there that won't butt in every 2 seconds, I just have to find him....:o)

Answer 9

I SO agree with that - in fact tonight I was telling my husband something and he interrupted me twice within about 20 seconds! I pointed it out again. The only way to improve the situation is to stop them in their tracks and inform them not to interrupt. I always ask, do you do that to your co-workers???? That gets him to slow down. I think some men think what they have to say is more important. It's just rude and presumes things.

Answer 10

I'm afraid that you'll be doing a lot of counting.
I shouldn't really say a whole lot because I'm just as bad at interrupting my husband as he is.