Thank you @hardaeborla for your comment. I think we all listen at different levels. Sometimes when I am watching a movie, I am so focused, I don't really listen to what people are saying to me but I might answer. You can say this is a type of pretending as I try to give the impression I am listening. It is a bad habit - I know.

If we want to be effective, we need to master empathetic hearing and it is not easy to achieve. It does take dedication and practice.

Thanks for your lovely comment.