Even small conversation habits can have a huge impact on our relationships.
Here are 10 common mistakes most people make without realizing, and that might be pushing your friends, partner or colleagues away.
“Boomerasking”
Asking a question just so you can answer it yourself may seem harmless, but it signals that you’re not genuinely interested in the other person’s perspective.
This habit, dubbed “boomerasking”, can make people feel unheard and dismissed, damaging the connection.
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Interrupting
Jumping in mid-sentence can feel like second nature, especially when you’re eager to share your thoughts.
But interruptions often come across as disrespectful and dismissive. Over time, they make others feel like their words hold no weight – pushing them away emotionally.
Talking too much about yourself
Sharing about your life is important, but dominating the conversation without showing interest in the other person sends the message that their life matters less.
A good conversation is like a game of catch – it needs to go both ways to feel fulfilling.
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Giving unsolicited advice
Offering advice can feel like the right thing to do when someone opens up. But many people aren’t looking for solutions — they just want empathy.
Jumping in with fixes too quickly can suggest you don’t believe they can handle things on their own.
Asking closed questions
Yes/no questions tend to shut conversations down. If you want to build connection, try asking open-ended questions instead.
Rather than asking, “Was it a good movie?” try “What stood out to you in the film?”. It opens the door to deeper sharing.
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Skipping follow-up questions
One question isn’t enough if you want the other person to feel truly heard. When you don’t follow up, it can seem like you’re only asking out of politeness.
A simple “Tell me more” can show genuine interest and keep the conversation alive.
Turning conversations into interrogations
Rapid-fire questions without leaving space for natural flow can make people feel like they’re being interrogated, not engaged with.
Even if your tone is kind, a barrage of questions can feel overwhelming. Make room for mutual exchange.
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Using dismissive language
Phrases like “You’re overreacting” or “It’s not a big deal” may seem trivial, but they can be deeply invalidating.
They tell the other person that their feelings don’t matter, and that kind of language chips away at trust and emotional safety.
Failing to clarify or summarize
Misunderstandings can easily arise when we don’t check if we’ve understood each other correctly.
Taking a moment to paraphrase or clarify what someone just said shows active listening, and gives space for clarification if needed.
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Lacking curiosity
At the heart of most communication issues is a lack of genuine curiosity.
Showing sincere interest, asking thoughtful questions, and listening with openness can transform your conversations.
It’s not about being right — it’s about truly connecting.
This article is based on information from Verywell Mind.