7 phrases that sound caring but are actually a self-centred person redirecting the conversation back to themselves — and the one most people fall for every time is the phrase that begins with “I totally understand because I...” followed by a story that replaces yours entirely

AI Briefing

• – People often fall for this tactic because it creates a sense of mutual understanding and validation.
• – The phrase 'I totally understand because I...' can be a subtle way to shift the conversation back to the speaker's own experience.
• – This technique is particularly effective because it's hard to argue with someone's personal story.