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i have a really odd habit of looking at peoples mouths when they talk. i am fairly short (often eye level with the chins of my peers), and tend to read lips in a noisy environment or other instances where i have trouble understanding people. Friends have commented on this before and i would really like to stop. Do you have any tips as to how to break this habit? thanks!
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I have been struggling with this for many years and there really is no excuse for it. I am just more comfortable looking at people's mouths than their eyes when they speak and I feel terrible everytime I catch myself because the person usually thinks that they may have something on their face and will sometimes check themselves in the mirror. It's a very embarassing problem and I tried everything to correct it but it's impossible to do anything about it. No matter how hard I try, I am now 33 and have had this problem for as long as I can remember. It's something that I wish I can control and I often beat myself up about it. Sorry that I don't have an answer but maybe it's good to not be alone with this.
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Its actually not that odd. Lots of people find that when the can see where the words are originating from its easier to understand what they are saying. Not only that, but some people tend to speak softer or quieter or tend to mumble and focusing on the mouth can ensure that you dont miss what theyre saying. But it can be awkward for everyone involved if you are fixated on their mouth and so here is a tip: You dont have to look at their face the entire time and uninterrupted gazes can be a bit creepy, so periodically look away..and then come back to their face. If you must look at their mouth try to move up to their eyes even if just for a moment and if looking into someones eyes sounds intimidating, a little trick is to stare just between their eyes, where their eyebrows would(but hopefully dont)connect. It will appear as though youre looking them in the eyes without the discomfort on your part. Hope this helps :)
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Reading lips is a great talent, i wish I could...but here's a secret. When I have to make speeches/hear speeches, I look at the person's forehead/eyebrows-to the person, it looks like you're looking them in the eye, and you can focus on what they are saying instead of concentrating on maintaining eye contact...
Hope this helps <3 katherine
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Try focusing on their eyes instead. Eyes are great, incredibly interesting, and people generally like it when you look them in the eyes if you're holding a conversation. It may be difficult when you are short, but if you look away from them or look down at your feet, they tend to think you are uninterested in what they have to say.
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Personally I don't think it's an odd or a bad habit. It's just simply a habit.
When you're talking to people remind your self not to look at their mouth. You'll eventually get out of it on your own.
♥Em
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I used to have this habit sort of also and mine just went away, once I grew and matured if you would say. This habit isn't really odd because there are people who look at other people's mouths when they talk so don't worry. You just have to try looking directly at them and not at their mouths. You will break this habit eventually.
-Karen
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I think it's awesome that yoo can read lips. I dont think its a BAD habit its just a habit. It's probably only because your not as tall as the other person. By the time yoo grow taller the habit will prbably stop.
Hope we helped
-:-Elle n Kristina-:-
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I'd be more worried about why you can't understand people in a noisy environment than the fact that you appear to be lip reading.
Go and schedule a hearing test. If your hearing is below average, you'll be able to get that sorted out. If it's not, the lip reading still isn't a problem.
When people are listening to other people, they use a variety of strategies they probably aren't aware of - lip reading, sensing body language, watching facial expressions. Listening is much more than picking up some sound waves in your ears, and it sounds like you are an intent listener. That's a good quality.
If your hearing is fine and you still are not comfortable with your lip reading habit, then you'll have to find a way to break it. This could involve switching eyes for lips - look into people's eyes while they talk.
Whether you keep or break your habit, let your friends know. If you choose to be a lip reader for purposes of helping you understand a conversation, then your friends should appreciate the fact that you so badly want to hear what they are saying. Many people would kill for a friend who was a good listener.
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I used to have the same problem, then I found the root of my issue. It wasn't that I am short or ugly.. I wanted to be inside the mouth I was looking at. Sometimes I would meet the biggest burly man and couldn't take my eyes off his beautiful mouth.
Once I came out, I realized why I acted like this. Are you thinking of anything particular when you gaze into someone's mouth??
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Have you had your hearing checked? Just a thought.Try looking at their eyes.
To be honest I don't think your looking at their mouths is all that uncommon.....in case you were wondering.
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Try and look into their eyes and listen to what they are saying rather than looking. Eye contact is the best form of showing someone you are truly listening. Try it out.
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