Being stuck in an uncomfortable or awkward conversation is the worst. The conversation might drag on and on, and as each minute passes, you feel your life getting shorter. Fortunately, there are sneaky ways to get out of a conversation you don't want to have.
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Have a Friend on Standby to Rescue You
Before going to a gathering or networking event with a friend, establish a secret gesture which signals the need to be rescued. It can be as simple as standing with your arms crossed, or resting your hand underneath your chin. Your friend approaches you and the other person saying she needs to talk with you, or she can join the conversation making the encounter less comfortable.
When attending a gathering or networking event, it can be difficult to get out of a conversation you don't want to have. To help in these situations, it is beneficial to have a friend on standby to rescue you. Establish a secret gesture that signals the need to be rescued, such as crossing your arms or resting your hand underneath your chin. When your friend sees the signal, they can approach you and the other person, saying they need to talk with you or they can join the conversation to make the encounter less comfortable.
In addition to having a friend on standby, there are other ways to gracefully exit a conversation. If you are in a group setting, you can excuse yourself to use the restroom or to get a drink. This gives you an opportunity to leave the conversation without making it obvious that you are trying to escape. If you are in a one-on-one conversation, you can say that you need to leave to check in with a friend or to attend to something else.
Introduce the Person to Someone else
I’ve tried this trick and it works like a charm. To get out of a conversation, introduce the person to someone who approaches. Of course, this only works if the two people don't know each other. But even if they do know each other, you can invite the other person into the conversation. As the two converse, you can make your exit.
Frequently asked questions
Act like You Forgot to do Something
If you’re having a conversation that's going nowhere, abruptly ending the conversation and walking away is rude. To get out of the conversation, act as if you forgot to do something, or say you need to talk to a friend before she leaves. The person will understand.
Apologize for Monopolizing Their Time
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who talks a lot? The first 5 or 10 minutes might be interesting, but if the person starts rambling things off the top of her head, you might need an escape. After answering a question, don’t give the person an opportunity to jump back into the conversation. You can say, “I don't want to monopolize your time, I'm sure there's other people you want to speak with.” Be friendly and natural and the person might not suspect that you're trying to get out of the conversation.
Take Advantage of Any Pauses in the Conversation
Take advantage of any pauses in the conversation. Don't just stand there until the person thinks of something else to say. This is the perfect time to end the conversation and walk away. Say, “it's been nice talking and catching up with you.”
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Ask for Her Contact Information
If you don't want a conversation to continue, ask the person for her contact information so you can catch up at another time. This signals that the conversation is about to end, and the other person won't feel the need to bring up a new topic.
Offer to Grab Her a Drink
If you don't have a friend to rescue you, tell the person you're going to grab a drink and offer to bring her one. If she declines, get your drink and don't return. If she would like a drink, bring her a drink and then say, “there someone I need to speak with, but it's been nice catching up with you,” and then walk away.
Some conversations are awkward and choppy, and you might not always know what to say to everyone. Knowing a few ways to get out of a conversation can make social encounters less awkward and annoying. What tricks do you use to get out of a conversation?
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