NEW YORK — Why is it so annoying when people interrupt? For many of us, it can feel diminishing and condescending, said Dr Maria Venetis, an associate professor of communication at Rutgers University.

How do you manage interruptions at work or home? I asked experts to share tips.

LEARN HOW TO RESPOND TO INTERRUPTIONS AT WORK. Weigh your options, said Ms Elaine Swann, an etiquette expert. Ask yourself whether you should speak up or let the interruption slide.

If you decide to cut in, Ms Swann suggested “lifting your hand up ever so slightly and saying, ‘Hold on, I’d like to finish my thought.’”

Dr Venetis recommended saying, “Just a second, and I’ll yield the floor.” Doing that acknowledges the other person while being an advocate for yourself, she said.

If you’re frequently cut off during meetings, find a work buddy who can jump in and refocus the conversation, Ms Swann said. (“I’d love to hear what Sandra was saying.”) You can also address interruptions before they start, Ms Swann said.

“Set the stage by saying: ‘I have something to share. I’ll only take about five minutes.’”

LEARN HOW TO HANDLE INTERRUPTIONS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP. Constant interruptions can cause rifts in connection and trust, said Dr Alexandra Solomon, a psychologist at the Family Institute at Northwestern University.

If interrupting is a pattern in your relationship, she recommends starting a “curious conversation” with your partner when you’re not in the heat of the moment.

Explore the root cause of the problem, Dr Solomon said. Ask each other: How would you describe our conversation patterns? How do you feel when you’re interrupted?

Subtle body language can work at home, too, she said. If one partner is “coming in hot,” she suggests putting a hand on their forearm, or lifting a “hang on” finger.

LEARN WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE THE INTERRUPTER. Are you hogging the mic? Watch your listener for cues, Dr Solomon said. Does the person look impatient or disengaged?

If you read a conversation transcript, are the two of you speaking for roughly the same amount of time? That’s what you should aim for, Dr Solomon said.

“We tend to want our conversations to feel like a tennis game, with a lot of back and forth,” she said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.