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Tutor Audrey オードリー 's Column

How to politely end a bad conversation

Apr 4, 2023

We have all been there - being stuck in a boring conversation, or that the other person is saying something that makes you uncomfortable. Many people use excuses like, "excuse me, I need to get a drink", "excuse me, I need to use the bathroom". Everyone knows these are cliches. A cliche is a phrase or opinion that is overused and lacks an original thought.

There are other excuses that are more positive, tactful and honest.

If you are at a party or a networking event, and you are stuck with somebody who has been talking to you for too long, or that the conversation is too boring, you can exit the situation by saying these:

1. "It has been really nice talking to you, but I promised myself I would mingle with others and get to know more people. I will catch you later."

2. "Oh, I see some of my colleagues (or friends) over there, I would like to say hi to them. It is

really nice chatting with you".

Emphasize it has been great talkng with them.

The other strategy is to ask the speaker to introduce you to somebody else at the event.

Say, "I hardly know anyone here, who do you think I should meet? I would like to meet a

few new people at this event today. Can you introduce me to anyone?

The third stragegy is to introduce somebody to this person so you can get out of this conversation. The person that you know may have something in common with this person. You can say,

"I see my co-worker, John, over there. I think the two of you have a lot in common. Let me introduce you.

The last tactic is to say, "I am sure I have taken a lot of your time. I am sure you have got a lot of people you want to talk to. I will let you go but it has been great talking with you."

This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.