1. A physical problem

This is a fairly simple and basic problem; the person might be hard of hearing. If this is the case, get them to a doctor for a hearing test, and then maybe a hearing aid is all they need.

2. You’re the problem

The flip side to the first point is that maybe you are just not speaking up enough. If you find that many people aren’t listening to you when you speak, it could be due to you.

Ask someone that you respect if you have a volume problem, and then work to correct it. You can try something as simple as practicing public speaking to taking a speech class.

Another excellent option is taking an acting class and even appearing in some plays. All of these steps will contribute to you learning to enunciate properly and project your voice.

3. They’re too self-absorbed

In some cases, people are so wrapped up in their own lives and concerns that they just don’t want to listen to you – or anyone else. With these people, it can be very difficult to get them to listen to you. About the only way is to put the subject in terms of how it will affect them.

4. They don’t like you or care about what you have to say

Sometimes, why people don’t listen has less to do with what you are saying, and more to do with who you are. It could be an older sibling who doesn’t respect you, a co-worker who is jealous of your work record or abilities, or even a classmate who doesn’t like that you got a higher grade on a recent test.

Depending on the degree of animosity the person feels toward you, you might be able to talk to them and resolve the issue. In some cases, the enmity may run deep, and getting the person to listen to you may be quite difficult, but that is no reason not to try.

5. They don’t like or agree with what you have to say

This is a very common problem, these days; especially in the area of politics. Just tune your TV to any news or opinion program and you will hear people talking about Death Panels and government takeovers, Global Warming and various 9/11 conspiracy theories. Yet, if you try to convince them that they’re wrong – they will not listen.

In some cases, people just don’t want to listen to any view that disagrees with theirs. On the other hand, some people can be swayed if you present them with enough facts; it really depends on the person, and the issue you’re debating.

6. They have a vested interest in not listening

This goes hand in hand with point five. The people on the TV shows that claim Death Panels exist, the US government was behind 9/11, and other horrors have a reason for not listening to anyone who disagrees with them. For them, it’s how they earn their living.

This is a problem that has existed for decades, if not centuries; there are people who will not listen to any view that contradicts theirs, because it would hurt their ability to make money. With these people, accept that you are not going to get them to listen.

When trying to deal with the issue of why people don’t listen to what you or someone else have to say, there are numerous reasons. Examine the ones listed here, and see if the answer can help you to overcome the problem.

Here are some ideas:

1. Talk to them

Sometimes, a person does not know that they are talking too much. Just a few gentle words can go a long way toward getting them to change their ways. Do not be confrontational or mean when you speak to them. Just point it out to them in a friendly way.

If they don’t think they’re talking too much, a simple way to make your point is to video them. Set up a video camera in a room – hidden – and then try to have a talk with them. Later, show the video to them, and see if that old saying, “Seeing is believing” rings true for them.

2. Get a third party to talk to them

In some cases, people who talk too much won’t listen to you, especially if they don’t think highly of you. It could be something as simple as a problem with your older sibling or a co-worker. By asking your parent or supervisor to speak to the person, you may be able to get them to listen.

3. Tune them out

With some people, you just can’t get them to shut up, and sometimes you just need to ignore them. If you’re able to simply tune them out and concentrate on what you need to do, more power to you.

If not, you can try turning up the TV or stereo, or slipping the earphones of your iPod into your ears and cranking up the volume. If the person gets the point that you’re not listening, it might lead them to change their ways.

On the other hand, some people might take offense, and lose their temper. As with the other methods listed, it is important that you pick the one best suited to the person.

4. Encourage them

Another means of dealing with people who just can’t stop talking is to keep them at it. For some people, being given free rein can eventually open their eyes as to what they’re doing, and they’ll stop. In other instances, the person will run out of things to say.

However, if the person is prone to repeat themselves, then this way of dealing with them will not be effective; they’ll just tell you the same thing over and over. So, be wary of using it.

5. Distract them

It is said that some people cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. Well, some people cannot talk and do something else. If the talkative person in your life is like that, look for a means of distracting them.

Do they have a hobby they like, a favorite sport, or maybe they enjoy movies. By finding something else for their mind to focus on, the person will stop talking.

6. Get them examined

In some cases, people who talk too much can have an underlying medical problem. So, when asked what to do about people who talk too much, in this case, a doctor can be the answer.

There are forms of autism that cause people to be real chatter-boxes, and they’re not even aware of it. Through medication or therapy, they can learn to curb their talkative nature.

However, this affects very few people, so do not expect a medical cure for many talkative people!

Given the options for dealing with talkative people, what to do about people who talk too much is an issue you can learn to deal with. Try some of these ideas, and you should meet with success.

1. Why don`t you like them?

Ask yourself: what is it about this person that you don’t like? Is it their appearance, their voice grates on you, their political or social views? Maybe you don’t care for their religion or their lack of religion. Do you not agree with how they’re raising their children, or are they critical of how you are raising yours?

Identify the traits about the person that annoy you, and then ask yourself why that’s the case. Are these things that you can deal with; can you learn to ignore or accept these aspects?

2. Show them another way

If you don’t like someone because of (as an example) their political views, try introducing them to yours. You need to be subtle about this; do it in a friendly and non-threatening fashion. If they suspect that you are trying to unduly influence them, they may react in a negative fashion. So, try to do it in a light and jovial manner.

3. Focus on the positive

In the event you can’t get the person (or people) to change those things about them that you do not like, try to look on their good qualities. What are the things about them that you do like? Maybe you have a friend who is great to work with at the local community theater on stage plays, but you can’t stand him otherwise. So, keep your relationship strictly within that arena, and avoid him in other social settings.

4. Introduce them to other people

This goes hand in hand with the idea of changing those aspects of the person you do not like. By introducing the person to other people who have attributes you do like, you can help to encourage the person to emulate those people.

Or, another thing you can try is introducing the person to people who have the same feature you don’t like about them – only to a much greater degree.

You could call this the: giving them a taste of their own medicine treatment. For some people, seeing what is wrong with them illustrated by the actions of others can have a very powerful affect. It can be a real eye-opening experience, and inspire them to change.

5. Cut them off

This is the most severe means of how to deal with people you don’t like, but sometimes it must be done. Simply stop seeing them.

If the person is at work, seriously consider getting a new job. Or, if the person is a co-worker, talk to your boss about transferring you or the person to another department.

If this person is someone you see socially – stop seeing them. In the event they are connected with a group that you can’t cut off, minimize the direct interaction you have with the person. This can mean dropping your membership in a group, or maybe no longer serving on a committee within the group, but if you truly can’t find a way to tolerate someone you don’t like, then it has to be done.

So, that should have given you ideas on how to deal with people you don’t like. It is up to you to make use of the way that works best for you. Examine yourself and the people in question, and then select the best means for dealing with the situation.

We are all familiar with this scenario because it has happened to us all at one time or other. But there are things you can do to help you deal with people you can`t stand.

1. Remember no one is perfect

Everyone has quirks and flaws in their personality and behavior. However, this is no real reason to dislike someone.

If you dislike someone so strongly, the chances are you dislike something about them that you see in yourself and dislike. We are attracted to those who reflect what we like in ourselves and are repelled by those who reflect what we don`t like about ourselves. When we don`t like someone it can be more about who we are as a person, not them.

2. Acceptance

You need to accept the fact that everyone is different and just because you don`t like someone doesn`t make that person a bad person. Also, you are not going to change anyone just because they might know you don`t like them.

In fact, if they know you don`t like them they may try to push those buttons in you that could provoke you and make you look bad.

Accept the person you don`t like as they are and interact with them when necessary, even if you have to fake it. That is the way to get on more amicably with people you can`t stand.

3. Focus on what is positive

If you are honest and open, there will always be something good about the person you don`t like. Just as each of has our own flaws we each also have good qualities.

It is also true that people don`t like to see beyond their negative judgments and feelings about others. In fact, in some cases it will take all the strength you have to do so.

However, by looking beyond what you don`t like about a person, toward the good qualities you see in them you are demonstrating maturity in your relationships.

More importantly, you are releasing yourself from the bondage of your negative feelings. You also open yourself up to the possibility of liking a person you don`t like at the moment, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

4. Be nice to the person you can`t stand

You never know, but there may come the day when you might need the help of the person you don`t like. If you are rude and disrespectful to someone you don`t like they will remember that and perhaps recall that when you are in need of their help.

Moreover, you wouldn`t want the people you can`t stand being disrespectful and rude to you, so why be that way to those you don`t like?

5. Discover their story

Everyone has a story to tell that can explain a lot about why someone is the way they are, even the person you can`t stand. When you discover that story in a person you don`t like you can then begin to develop an understanding of them as a human being.

The world is made up of many different personalities, some of which you will not like, but this doesn`t mean you should avoid them; quite the opposite in fact, because those people you don`t like can teach you something about yourself. You will benefit a lot from learning how to deal with people you can`t stand.

These arrogant personalities are perhaps the most difficult types of people to deal with. The most important thing about the person who thinks they know everything is that they lack humility. Knowing that is the key to learning how to deal with these people.

1. No one knows everything

That is true. What makes you think that the arrogant person actually knows any better than you? It could just be that they don’t, so you have no call to feel inferior to them. You are perfectly entitled to state your views too.

2. Give the benefit of the doubt

This is linked to the first point. You need to listen to what the other person is saying so that you don’t miss out on any important information or knowledge that they can pass on to you, especially if you don`t have the facts to disprove what the other person is saying.

Even if you do have the facts to dispute what the arrogant person is telling you, sometimes it is best not to challenge the person because this could cause them to resent you and thus create other relational problems between them and you.

3. Learn to shrug it off

Sometimes it is best just to shrug off what an arrogant person who seems to think they know everything is saying rather than confront them.

Arrogant people are that way because of an innate need to be correct. Perhaps when they were young, adults were always telling them they were wrong about what they knew as they were growing up. This would be especially true if one of the parents was a know it all themselves.

Being so arrogant is a state of mind that can be extremely difficult to break through, particularly if it is rooted in your self-image. In these cases it is often best to just shrug off what the arrogant person is saying, especially if that person is a friend, or if it isn’t important to prove them wrong.

4. Laugh about it

Sometimes, you will know that what the arrogant person is saying is not true. Know it alls can actually be funny people because even in the face of opposing facts they have a very hard time letting go of their own belief.

Sometimes laughing about the fallacies of an arrogant person can actually show them their own foolishness in a polite and fun way.

Besides, laughing is a good way to defuse an arrogant person who might be a participant in an important and critical conversation, but who has a hard time seeing the viewpoints of others.

5. Remove yourself from the conversation

If you find that the arrogant person is beginning to irritate you, walk away. Know it alls can be a bit exasperating, especially when they don`t change a belief when contradictory facts are presented to them.

Sometimes they are so convinced that their own position is correct that they will become hostile in the defense of that position. When this happens it is best just to walk away rather than feed into and challenge the hostility.

Dealing with people who think they know everything can be a challenging endeavor and rather irritating. Few people like those people who think they know everything and many people will do all they can to avoid such personalities.

But these are a few techniques you can use to deal with people who think they know it all, achieve what you want from the conversation and keep your sanity too.