Replacing Empty Phrases with Action: The Impact on Friendships and Relationships When stuck in a conversation that's going nowhere, it's easy to rely on familiar but hollow phrases like "That's really interesting" or "I'm so sorry.
" These verbal cues can feel like a safe way to respond without engaging with the other person. However, as we repeat them ad infinitum, they erode our connections and create a culture of insincerity.
Verbal cues serve an important function in communication, providing a temporary bridge between people that allows for space to collect thoughts or signal listening.