Politely End a Conversation

Face to face conversations can be awful, especially if you are not interested in what the other party is saying. Phone conversations with people who don't want to let you off are also uncomfortable, but easier to handle. I face these dilemmas at least a few times a week , since one of my house mates is a know it all chatterbox, and I have very little patience on the phone. I find that these easy and polite steps give me all the power I need to cut the cord or leave a draining, one sided conversation!

Step 1 On the Phone

Identify what the person is saying- there are so many different circumstances! Here are some examples:

A) Relationship talker on the phone-YOUR EXCUSE- headache (be honest!)

B) The "Did you know?" stupid fact person-YOUR EXCUSE- That's great, but I need to go finish the laundry. Talk soon!

C) "Always need a favor" person-YOUR EXCUSE- Listen, then say," Oh (name) I just don't feel comfortable about this, I have to go. Okay talk soon, byyyyyyyye!"

D) Annoying boyfriend or girlfriend- YOUR EXCUSE- Hey baby, can I call you back later? I really just don't want to be on the phone right now. I love you (or I miss you).

Remember to always reassure the caller that you still like them or that you still respect them. Often times people feel bad that they kept you, gave you a headache or made you feel weird. If you reassure them with positive refrain "talk soon" "let's meet later" "I love you" it makes them feel like they do have importance in your life, just not at the moment. Avoid answering any questions and apologize if necessary.

Comments

[studleylee]

Wow, I run into this all the time. I find it sucks the life-force right out of me.
I get extremely bored with banal conversation and internally find myself screaming "shut-up..." as the person drones on and on. The meat of the topic could have been conveyed in 5 concise sentences. People often repeat their issues several times, sometimes with slight variation in a single conversation.

Please build on this Instructable: I need more tactics. I worked for a rude guy once who would say " is there an end to this story..." when he wanted to get out of a conversation. Harsh, but effective. I'm just not that rude. Yet :-)

[guitarmonk15]

 here's my way : say "shut up" and hang up

[porcupinemamma]

It can really be awkward, and if you let the answering machine pick up, you usually need to call back (unless it's a telemarketer.) I think by calling back, the person might assume you have a lot of time to talk. I try "Hi :0) I'm on the fly,things have been hectic, but I wanted to make sure you are o.k" This way I hope my friends know I really do care, but know I can't chat... I've also wondered about saying, "oh good to hear you" (and mean it) I've got 5 minutes before I have to... Let me put on the timer to remind myself. When the "ding" is audible to the caller, it's the "timer's" fault that you have to go and hopefully they won't be insulted. ;0)

[tjmortenson]

my mom has that same phone in the picture lol

[AndyGadget]

I once claimed to a tele-sales person that I was suffering from bubonic plague and had to go as one of my pustules was starting to erupt. That did the trick.

[Kiteman]

If you know a potentially-hazardous conversation is coming, leave yourself a trapdoor - a friend was going on a blind date, we arranged that I would text her about half an hour after they were supposed to meet - she could then either ignore it if things were going well, or pretend an emergency (puking dog) so she could bail without hurting the guy's feelings.

[Weissensteinburg]

I've helped my brother get an annoying friend to leave by asking when he was take me somewhere, a birthday party, for example. He told me before she got there that he might need me, and then sent a text when he did.

[ItsTheHobbs]

Hehehe...... Hang up the phone, or walk away and ignore them. they don't feel that bad. Or, you could always do the whole, cckkkkkk ckkkkkk we're br...ng .p