Knowing how to end a conversation is perhaps as important as knowing how to start one.
Here, expert give 12 tips to set you up for success.
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Some people are just natural conversationalists.
They effortlessly sail through social interactions with ease, barely pausing to consider what topic may come next.
Sometimes we avoid wrapping up conversations due to worries about hurting the other persons feelings, he says.
Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef, and nutritional biologist
You dont necessarily need an excuse to wrap up a conversation, Dr. Westbrook adds.
Not sure how to end a conversation once and for all?
Here are 12 simple tips.
Have an out ahead of time.
Put the exit on the other person.
Say that youll catch up again soon.
That is, if you actually want to catch up.
It lets the person know that you look forward to talking more in the future, Dr. Westbrook says.
Invite other people to join you.
Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef, and nutritional biologist
A simple, have you met X?
can bring them into the fold.
Then, stick around for a moment and excuse yourself, Dr. Naidoo suggests.
Excuse yourself to answer a text.
Then smile and walk away.
Wrap things up with a nice comment.
Example: I really enjoyed catching up.
I hope you have a nice rest of your night.
Check in with the host.
Its only polite to say hi to the host and see if they need anything.
A simple, I just realized I havent said hi to X yetplease excuse me should work.
Let them get back to what they were doing.
Say, It was great to see you!
Ill leave you to your grocery shopping now to end things.
This communicates your respect for the other persons time, Dr. Naidoo says.
Try this easy phrase.
Have someone on the phone who wont stop talking?
Try, Well, Ill let you go now.
It suggests that you know that theyre busy and you dont want to suck up their time.
Take advantage of a lull in the conversation.
Conversational lulls happen during every chat.
When the chatter dies down, just say, It was great talking!
Hopefully well catch up again soon.
Claim your battery is low.
Sometimes, a white lie does the trickespecially if any of the above dont work, Dr. Naidoo says.
Ask permission to wrap things up.
Try, Mind if I step away for a moment?
Im hoping to catch X before she leaves.
…
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