How do you get out of conversations you don't want to have?

[Anonymous]

You know, those people who corner you, ignore your signals that you are trying to end a conversation and just keep on talking? How do you disengage?

I recently had a plumber at my house. I'm fine with a bit of friendly chatter, but this guy would not stop talking, all about things having nothing to do with what he was here for. It was annoying as I was trying to work, AND I was paying by time. I'm an introvert. I engaged in the conversation for a bit, then tried turning away, trailing off . . . he did not take any hint. And, ugh, he has to come back. Help me!

[Anonymous]

I gotta go! Nice chatting with you

[Anonymous]

Pretend to be on the phone, texting furiously, emailing.

A work crisis. Medical emergency. Whatever.

[Anonymous]

This is what cell phones are good for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know, those people who corner you, ignore your signals that you are trying to end a conversation and just keep on talking? How do you disengage?

I recently had a plumber at my house. I'm fine with a bit of friendly chatter, but this guy would not stop talking, all about things having nothing to do with what he was here for. It was annoying as I was trying to work, AND I was paying by time. I'm an introvert. I engaged in the conversation for a bit, then tried turning away, trailing off . . . he did not take any hint. And, ugh, he has to come back. Help me!

"I don't wish to discuss this." If person insists then I excuse myself.

[Anonymous]

If he's in your house, extending his paid time, you need to be a little more direct: "Sorry, I'm on the clock, and you've got to work too!" Smile, walk away, type on your computer.

[Anonymous]

I am the worst at this. I do not want to be rude. I also do not want to talk to you.

[Anonymous]

“It’s been nice chatting with you/nice to meet you. I have a lot of work to do. I’ll be in my office if you need anything. Thanks so much!”

[Anonymous]

Set an alarm on your phone for 5 mins after he arrives. Then tell him you need to get back to work/make an important phonecall.

[Anonymous]

Nod and smile for a few minutes. Then, mid sentence, hold up your phone like it started buzzing at you. "Oh, excuse me, I need to take this. I'll be in the next room if you need anything." And walk away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I gotta go! Nice chatting with you

This. I'm surprised that you didn't think of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nod and smile for a few minutes. Then, mid sentence, hold up your phone like it started buzzing at you. "Oh, excuse me, I need to take this. I'll be in the next room if you need anything." And walk away.

OP here. 23:56, the problem is, I can't seem to "find" the right spot to interrupt a conversation. I think the 👆post I quoted solves this.

I know this is ridiculous. It's just something that I struggle with.

[Anonymous]

“I might have covid. I was exposed recently and have just begun feeling a little off.”

[Anonymous]

Oh god, this happened to me at Michael's last weekend. I was literally cornered with her body and her cart.

It all started with her asking me "do you know anything about glue guns (I didn't)" and where I got about 9 words in, over 10 minutes.

By the third "nice chatting, I gotta go!" I just decided to squirm by and make an escape.

[Anonymous]

I am loving our chat but is it on the clock?