People may interrupt others while talking on the phone for various reasons, and the level of awareness of their interruption can vary. Here are some potential reasons:
Lack of Visual Cues: Unlike face-to-face conversations, phone calls lack visual cues such as body language and facial expressions. This absence of nonverbal feedback may make it challenging for some individuals to know when it's appropriate to speak, leading to unintentional interruptions.
Technology and Delay: Sometimes, there can be a slight delay or lag in phone conversations, which may result in people talking over each other inadvertently. This can occur in voice calls, especially if the connection is not optimal.
Excitement or Eagerness: When people are enthusiastic or eager to share their thoughts or information, they might find it difficult to wait for the other person to finish speaking. In such cases, they may interrupt without fully realizing they are doing so.
Lack of Listening Skills: Some people might not possess strong active listening skills. Instead of fully engaging with what the other person is saying, they may be more focused on their own thoughts and end up interrupting.
Cultural Differences: Different cultures have various conversational norms. In some cultures, interrupting during a conversation is considered acceptable and even shows engagement and interest.
Personality Traits: Certain personality traits, such as assertiveness or impulsiveness, can lead individuals to interrupt others during phone calls without being aware of it.
Multitasking: People may multitask during phone calls, engaging in other activities simultaneously. This divided attention can lead to unintentional interruptions as they may not be fully attentive to the conversation.
Emotional State: Emotional factors, such as frustration, impatience, or excitement, can influence behavior during phone calls and lead to interruptions.
Regarding awareness, it depends on the individual. Some people may be completely unaware of their interruptions and only realize it when the other person points it out. Others may have a partial awareness and may try to control it but might still slip up occasionally. In contrast, some individuals may be very aware of their interruptions and may even interrupt intentionally for various reasons like asserting dominance or trying to control the conversation.
It's essential to recognize that communication dynamics can vary significantly from person to person, and the reasons for interruptions can be complex. Improving communication skills and active listening can help reduce unintentional interruptions and create more effective and respectful conversations.