7 Conversation Mistakes You’ve Been Making Unknowingly That Turns People Off

Last Updated on 2016-05-19 , 1:53 pm

Have you ever met someone who, the moment they open their mouth to speak, you just feel like shoving a sock in their mouths? Or have you ever complained to your boyfriend about something but realized he wasn’t even listening to you at all? That’s probably because you’ve committed a conversation mistake.

Lucky for you, sound expert and consultant Julian Treasure has come up with some useful tips on how to make your conversation with others more powerful and at the same time, make people listen to you.

Start out by avoiding these 7 Deadly Sins at all cost if you don’t want to turn people off during a conversation.

Gossip
I had an acquaintance once who live and breathe on gossip and often has some juicy news on the latest scandal. The next thing I know, she was also gossiping about me to others; and to make matters worse, those things are not true as well! I cut ties with her after that and found that my life was better off. If you’re a gossip and find that people are avoiding you, it’s because you have committed the first deadly sin of speaking. It’s not too late to repent though.

Judging
It’s really disheartening to have a conversation with someone who’s always judging and criticizing especially if you’re the one being judged. It doesn’t just hurt someone’s self-esteem, it also leaves a negative impact on the person’s life. It’s terrible to have another person make you feel like shit and no one wants to be around you if all you do is just judge, judge, judge!

Negativity
There’s a saying from Bambi that goes, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” and it can’t be any more true. Negative people with only negative things to say about practically everything and everyone are difficult to listen to or hold a conversation with. It can be both frustrating as well as emotionally draining. People often feed on other’s aura and vibes so if negativity is all that you’re sending out, don’t be surprised if people don’t listen to you.

Complaining
This one is a sin I’m guilty of committing, I admit. What? I never said I was a saint and don’t tell me you have never complained in your entire life. Well, complaining is actually one of the most common bad habits committed by people today. We complain about life and everything under the sun, which is really, really unacctractive. Like negativity, complaining is emotionally draining for the listener and infects them with negative vibes. Let us all stop complaining once and for all to make the world a better place!

Excuses
People who make excuses for themselves are perceived as people with no initiatives for self-improvement and are the most uninfluential people that others would rather avoid. They often put the blame on others and point fingers instead of doing something to make a change. The most successful people are known to NOT make excuses. So who would you rather have a conversation with? The excuse-maker or the inspiring-motivator? Exactly.

Lying
I’m sure you know about ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf!’, right? Basically, if you’re someone who has this thing about lying time after time, people will eventually stop believing you and refuse to hear anything that you have to say. So the moral of the story is: don’t tell lies because if you do, you’re going to get eaten by a wolf in the end and that’s just messed up.

Dogmatism
No, it has nothing to do with dogs. Dogmatism simply means a way of thinking that’s stubborn and narrow-minded and for the life of me, I cannot hold a conversation with such people and I don’t want to. They would often force an opinion or idea on you and refuse to hear what you have to say. They’re also arrogant about their ideas which makes them unbearable. I hope you readers don’t have this habit. It’s okay to have your own thoughts and opinions but remember to respect others’ as well. You don’t have to accept it, just be open to listening.

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