I’ve not experienced that.

I think it’s a technique they have learned to help them remember what you’re saying. I don’t believe it’s an illness at all, it’s a memory technique, sort of like taking notes.

If you’re talking directly to someone and they are silently saying every word you say as you say it, it’s quite rude unless they have the excuse of a mental disfunction that is causing it.

Only time I’ve heard of this is when Will Smith mentioned doing this in an interview

https://youtube.com/shorts/5fOWfxTmK4E?feature=share

Habit

What makes it rude exactly?

I think it’s an unconscious echoing behavior and I wouldn’t worry about it. If it bothers you, look away.

@raum it is the verbal equivalent of say walking in reverse in front of someone as they walk forward.

Echolalia. A language disorder. People with ADD sometimes do it, I’ve noticed.

@Ltryptophan I’d say it’s the verbal equivalent of tiptoeing alongside of you. Odd behavior, perhaps. And even understandably annoying. But not necessarily rude.

I disagree with the commonly-held notion that any socially-atypical behavior is necessarily rude. Odd, yes.

@knowitall Thanks, that helps..

I had a boss where I use to work who would repeat parts of the sentences that I said to her. Usually she repeated the last couple of words of a sentences. It was only slightly irritating. I can only guess why she did that. To indicate that she is paying attention? An attempt to show that she’s in charge? Just a personality quirk?

@KNOWITALL nailed it. I have experienced it also. Their minds just work this way. While it looks a bit different than the norm, they are who they are and can’t control it.
Accept them for who they are.

I’ve been told that I do this quite a bit. Honestly, don’t know what it is or why it happens, but there’s no way to stop it from happening unless you point it out. Even then, I’d end up forgetting and keep doing it without realizing.