Does the uh hu noise annoy you?

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Does some one saying uh hu (or however you spell it ) whilst you are speaking put you off what your saying.

Even when the person seems to be doing it as a polite way of letting me know they are listening carefully, I have noticed it makes me cut short what I was planning to say because I cant stand to hear it while Im speaking and I know letting them speak will stop them making the noise.

In addition it means; I'm understanding what you're saying so far. As opposed to the signals that the listener is confused or does not understand the the current point you're making.

Un huh, is an important signal in conversation/communication. It signals that it's ok for the speaker to continue because the listener is following and understanding. Other signals tell the speaker that the listener wishes to interject a question or comment. Without un huh and the will-you-pause signals, the give and take in conversation can't function. What occurs without the signals is not conversation; it's a one way lecture.

Would yes or yeah be more tolerable signals for you to hear while speaking than un huh? If so, you might explain your aversion to un huh and suggest to your intimates that they substitute the yes signal.

I have both been told that I speak at the most inappropriate times and that I dont speak to people enough. Consequently I think I have become paranoid about not speaking and when I do speak that it was unnecessary and if it is more than a sentence it is rambling and the person will be bored.

The noise uh huh makes me think of a counsellor who is paid to sit and listen to me and keep a professional distance from what Im saying and not laugh or cry or show any emotion regarding what in saying.

Having thought about it maybe my friend isnt good at showing emotion and thats why I have trouble in picking up how he is feeling about what Im saying. Im not sure he could just change his habit from uh hu to yes as I think it is involuntary. But I can mention it.

I think the word yes is better because my main problem with uh hu is that it is only usually said in the same tone all the time which to me sounds like impatience. I think that 'yes' can hold more meaning as it is usually said with a giggle or a sad tone or in lots of other ways which I can interpret as yes they understand the emotions Im trying to convey.

I think maybe this situation has highlighted my problem in reading peoples non verbal signals and facial expressions and that I like to listen to peoples tone of voice to work out if Im boring them and uh huh doesnt convey anything to me so I am put off speaking as I try to work out what they mean by uh huh.

In future I will try to interpret the noise more as "I understand and would like to hear more" rather than a negative signal.

Uuhh... huh?

Yes, for those of us who are accustomed to saying; uh huh, switching to yes or yeah will be a learning curve as we get used to it. If you ask him and he consents it may take a while for him.