Continuing our mini-theme, here are some things guaranteed to kill a conversation at 20 paces.

• Classic putdowns and the inappropriate use of humour
• Increasing the volume – don’t scream!
• Verbal overkill – otherwise known as going on and on
• Shifting the topic
• Suggesting they do things that we don’t do ourselves
• Body language – a shrug of the shoulders communicates a lot
• Finishing their sentences for them [so frustrating!]
• Simply not listening

Communication is a two way process, so sitting their silently doesn’t work too well either.