Never say Well,...

[raymr]

Sometimes you just figure things out. I made an interesting discovery at this mature point in my life. I'd sometimes notice people getting either apologetic or defensive during conversations, and I'd wonder if it was something I said (duh!).

I thought about it for some time and realized it was when I led a sentence with "Well,.." and it seemed some people take that as a challenge to what they just said, or it makes some negative mental connotation. It's just a habitual filler word for me as I finish my thoughts, but it seems to have an unintended effect that I never contemplated before.

I active try not to say it, and there is a difference now in the flow of conversation. Just a Eureka moment I thought I'd pass along.