This situation happens a lot between my sister and I. For example, whenever I'm washing the dishes and she calls me over. I stop whatever I'm doing and turn to her, but when I do she immediately says "nevermind." Another example that I have experienced was when a friend of mine was telling a story. I was so interested and was patiently listening, until I have realized that she had stopped in the middle of her sentence and refused to continue the story.
This really bugs me because I experience these situations a lot. I always address my friends and especially my sister on this type of behaviour because in my opinion, you should never stop telling a story once you have started it. However, when I tell them to finish what they were going to say, they refuse. I have to keep on trying to convince them and say "I was actually interested and would appreciate it if you finish your story." When I finally do convince them, they continue telling their story. It really gets in my nerves and so I complain to them saying "You could've finished your story, while I was not irritated and had to convince you to finish."
I think people are not aware this bothers some people. I also think it's just a bad habit of theirs. Like my sister, for example, there is not a day when she interrupts me while I am in the middle of doing chores, only to listen to her stop in mid-sentence. It may offend a few people, but in my opinion it's a disturbance in life. Reasons why I think people act this way are because they lose their train of thought, they think people are not listening to them, or lazy to finish off the story.
I think what's causing them to not continue their story is because could be forgetful and forget what they're trying to say or have changed their minds, so they stopped talking about it. Suggestions for how people may avoid having this personality is to speak only when it is necessary and always be confident on everything you will be talking about. Adding to that when people are about to start a story I will tell them "Please finish your story, so I will not get annoyed."
I agree! Countless people have talked to me, and stopped mid-sentence. It's very irritating knowing you've stopped what you're doing (important or not), you've given your full attention, yet they don't give their full attention back! I think it's very inconsiderate of people to not return the attention they've asked for. Sometimes, yes, one could forget what they were about to say. But to simply say, "I forgot." is enough. Politely confronting these people is the way to go!
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