I really struggle with this at parties. I feel like I get stuck talking with people and we both want to leave and talk with someone else, but can’t figure out how.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“I’ll let you go now”

I really hate this. Please don't say this. Folks see right through you.

DP. Then that's a startling moment of awareness for them. Learning to read the room should be a life skill taught to children.

Marcia Brady said, “Something suddenly came up” and it worked for her. Maybe a version of that?

Anonymous wrote:“I’ll let you go now”

I really hate this. Please don't say this. Folks see right through you.

If you otherwise like them, say something like "oh! I wish we had more time to talk but I just realized I:

need to finish xyz to meet my deadline/have to run to meet the other teacher before they leave/am out of time.

Can we catch up soon?"

You are getting trapped because you are worried about seeming rude. You need to let go of this fear. Accept they might think you are rude but it's not your problem.

To the coworker I would simply say, "Well I need to get back to work." I wouldn't look for a lull or anything, just when I was done with the conversation I'd say this, even if I had to interrupt them. If this is a consistent problem I would get in the habit of saying, when they stopped by my office, "I only have a couple minutes, just FYI." I feel that at work you have more leeway with this, unless they are your boss, and then you might just have to suck it up.

To the person at the back to school night, it would be similar. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, but I want to talk to the music teacher before he leaves. It was nice talking to you though! Good luck with that situation."

I've said stuff like this to other people and I've also had stuff like this said to me on occasion. It's normal. Some people might take offense but there's no reason --sometimes the person you are talking to needs to end the conversation.