You were keen to get out and socialize, but now you’re stuck in a conversation with your friend or frenemy and it’s never ending. You feel like you’re going to collapse from how draining it is, or you’re about to have an anxiety attack. Hold on. Here are 10 easy ways to help you exit a conversation without making it awkward or feeling weird about heading for the door.
1. Mention A Future Appointment.
You can prevent the awkwardness of having to exit a conversation by telling the person that you’re going to have to leave in five minutes. This prevents you from getting caught up in their rambling story. Make sure you give them a legit excuse, like having a doctor’s appointment or picking up your kids from their friend. This also works well if you’re hoping to exit a conversation to leave a guy wanting more.
2. Promise To Catch Up With Them Soon.
Whether or not you want to hang with this person in the future, you can tell them that you’ll catch up soon but you have to go right now. You might have to input their number on your phone or jot down their email address so you can stay in touch, but whatever. You don’t have to use their deets. You’re out of there, baby!
3. Thank Them For Their Time.
If all else fails, exit the conversation by interjecting with a simple thank you. You could say, “Thank you so much for chatting with me. I really enjoyed it, but now I’ve got to run. I’m so sorry for cutting our conversation short.” The person won’t be able to argue with that and it’ll end the convo on a nice note. Exhale. Now you’re free!
4. Tell Them You Have To Make An Important Call.
You should never pretend that someone’s calling you on the phone, even if you mention that your phone’s set to “silent.” It’s too risky. The person could see your phone screen is dark. Yikes. Instead, tell the person that you promised your friend you’d call them or mention that you have an important call to make. You don’t even have to give them deets.
5. Tell Them You Need To Drink/Eat.
If you’re at a party, a good way to exit a conversation gracefully is to say, “That sounds lovely! I have to excuse myself to get another drink/get some birthday cake.” You’ll be able to get away without anyone being able to hold you back. You could even mention that you need to eat because you haven’t eaten all day, if you feel the person won’t take the hint.
6. Excuse Yourself To Go To The Bathroom.
Another easy way to get out of a boring convo is to say you have to use the bathroom, but you’ll catch up with them later. (You really won’t, but they don’t need to know that.) You could even ask them if they know where the bathroom is, so they’ll have to stop talking to give you directions. Then, you’re home free. Nailed it!
7. Help Someone Else In The Room.
When you’re talking to someone and you want the conversation to end RN, start looking around the room. If you’re at a party, keep an eye out for any distraction you could use to your advantage. Maybe someone’s spilled their drink or the host is struggling to control their dogs. Whatever the case, excuse yourself to go help out. You’ll seem like such a nice person. Bonus!
8. Walk And Talk (All The Way Out).
Have you ever been stuck in a conversation with someone who doesn’t take your hint? They’re so busy talking that it’s like you’re not even there. Argh! Here’s what you do. During conversation, if the person really won’t shut it, just start walking towards the door. They’ll follow you or stop and ask why you’re walking. Perfect – now you can tell them you have to leave because you’ve got another appointment.
9. Bring Someone Else Into The Conversation.
When you see someone familiar, you could use them to get out of the conversation with the person. So, you could say, “Oh, sorry to interrupt! Have you met Rebecca?” You could also mention something about the person you’re bringing into the chat to make it seem natural. So, you could say, “Rebecca also started her own business. You two should chat!” Who knows? Maybe they’ll become besties.
10. Let Them Get Back To What They Were Doing.
If the person was grocery shopping or getting their nails done or about to have a cigarette before you guys started chatting, you can use that to help you make your exit. So, you could say, “I’m going to go now. I’ll leave you to [insert what they were doing].” This makes it seem like you’re respectful of their time as much as yours.
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