How can you politely end a boring conversation you don’t care about?

[Kayla45]

Make an excuse

Walk away without saying anything

Pretend to be interested but switch topics and act excited over the new topic

[Telekinetic-Potato]

Usually when someone's talking about something that I think is boring I try to find a way to get them to answer the question "why do they care? Why is this not boring to you?"

And if you try to get an answer to that, it will lead you to asking them questions or steering the conversation in a way that doesn't put you to sleep but they still get the satisfaction of sharing something personal about themselves and I can pretty much promise you'll be able to tell by the look on their face that you'll leave a good impression on them.

Because you're definitely not the first person they've made bored with whatever the topic is and there's something magnetic about a person who makes you think "they tried to understand even if they thought it was boring"

[Still-alive]

usually i just say something like 'oh i need to use the bathroom' or something

[sage2021]

Right when you receive the phone call or text, just say that you have just a minute to talk/text, and then I have to run. That will keep it short.


Do the same thing if you make plans to see them and that will give you a reason to excuse yourself.

[sage2021]

Thank you for the MHO 🙂🧡

[TrueConfection]

On the phone? In person? Text?

In person I politely listen and just don’t add to their input. When the awkward silence comes, I thank them for whatever I can think of and tell them how great it was to chat. Bye!

[fluffydevilxx]

I usually keep it simple and respectful. You don’t owe anyone endless conversation, but you also don’t have to be rude.

Something like, “It was nice chatting with you, but I need to get back to what I was doing. Take care!” works well. If it’s online, “I’ve got to run, have a good one!” is enough.

If the person keeps dragging the conversation on, don’t invent excuses every time. A polite but firm exit is healthier than pretending to be interested. Most people can tell when someone is mentally checked out anyway.

I’ve found that it’s better to end a conversation kindly than to stay in it while giving one-word replies or looking distracted. Respect their time and yours. Not every conversation is meant to last, and that’s perfectly normal.

[ohsheeT]

When it happens to me I just kind of smile and say hold it wait wait time out I don't mean to be rude or anything like that and I'll giggle laugh and I'll say but really I have no interest in this at all I don't care and I don't want to even talk about it I'm sorry but I mean okay yeah I'm sorry and if they know you good enough they know exactly what you're talking about especially if they're talking about somebody else because I hate people that talk about other people and I don't want to even hear it or what's louder a frogs ribbit are frogs fart I could care less

[FunkyMonkee]

A lot of people simply stop responding.
Another way is to say something like, ""Oh, shit!! The baby's on fire again!! I gotta go!!"
If you're talking to someone on the phone, when it's your turn to talk, start saying something and then suddenly cut yourself off mid-sentence and then hang up and then take the phone off the hook again. They'll think you were cut off and try to call you back but, because your phone is off the hook, they'll get a busy signal and think you must be trying to call THEM back so, they'll hang up and wait for you to call back which, you never do.

[Twodogs0525]

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZSICrCHHWRU?si=6vvzGn6gz5DJqZdf

Play this while they're talking. I do it to my mother all the time.. I got the idea from @Beckybooboo She did it to me once when we were DMing!

[OneViewpoint]

I do it all the time. Just manage the conversation to a standstill. Short one sentence answers. Never ask any questions in return that would keep the conversation going. Never offer up any of your own stories or anecdotes. During a lull I just turn away and present them with my back.

[Alexandrubaschet08]

Non of them, tell them something like "Sorry, but i'm not that interested in this topis and i don't even have much knowladge, so i will like if we can chat/talk about something else." Then you should propose a couple of topics or explain why you don't finde the subject interesting before doing that.

[samael_kmarty]

People who selected walk away are too heartless...
I have at least said I need to go to the bathroom, and most of the time the topic has moved on.
I also like plant a seed thought, like i'll hey where is the washroom by the way did you know I heard another boring topic which I kinda can hear on.

[HawkPerception]

Just say there isn't a lot you have to add to the topic as it's not something that piques your interest.

I don't recommend that if it's your partner though. Everyone wants to know their partner is interested in what they have to say.

[Screenwriter]

I'd say walking away and moving to another person is appropriate esp at a party or other event. You can say "nice to talk to you' and move on.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

Excuse me, I have to use the restroom & if you really want to get out of the conversation fast tell them the same thing & tell them you have killer diarrhea.

[Chazmatazz269]

I don’t make sh*t up.
I reverse the roles.
When you do this, it often becomes apparent that the person burdening you with their “conversation” is equally at fault.

[lilBigPotato]

Switch topic... If that doesn't work out you just don't want to talk at all, come up with some excuse.

[NoDecision]

Tell them you need to leave fast because you feel a bout of diarrhea coming on.

[Bklynbadboy12]

That will definitely do it 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Account]

"I have nothing else to add on in this discussion anymore, can we please switch the topic?"

[Anonymous]

Just tell them to shut up. Stop being nice about it. You're mean to them, but at least they learn something. They learn to behave around others.

[Iron_Man]

Is it you don’t like talking to that person is it on gag for example? Is it about a topic or the person? Let me know something then I’ll tell you what to do. it’s very simple

[jshm2]

Scream "I'm hungry, lets get some munchies"

[AubrieMorman]

I slowly just start making more boring responses eventually they get the hint

[MysticDevice]

If I actually like the person I'll just deal with it. If I do not like the person I say I have other things to do. Whether I do or not.

[Phoenix98]

Are you talking about with people in general or someone more specific like your partner?

[ChicoFromThe305]

The few words replies, like oh okay, oh that's cool, wow that's crazy 😂

[genericname85]

is it the topic? or is it the person you're talking to that bores you?

[Anonymous]

"Okay well I'll see you later..." Works 100% of the time.

[FreyaRed]

Derailing, deflecting and changing topic.

[jazzy34]

"I have to go. Nice talking with you."

[ArrowheadSW]

Switch topics when the opportunity arises.

[Just_Ken]

Change the subject or make an excuse.

[_Jenny_]

@Kayla45 Not always possible

[WhitneySnow]

Make an excuse

[exitseven]

I usually fake an amputation.

[EveryDayIsPretzelDay]

Fake a seizure.

[AngryCarl3]

Avoid eye contact.

[LC75LC71]

Give a nod and smile as you walk away.

[Paige2006]

Change the subject

[FrodoSkywalker007]

Oh sorry! I forgot, I've got a thing... I'm late!

[canamlusciouslad73]

Say you're late for a scheduled b. j. !!!

[Kelly6]

@Kayla45 Make excuse

[Bklynbadboy12]

I say be right back and go

[Hussar]

"Sorry but I'm pressed for time"

[Anonymous]

Just make an excuse.

[Eleni1998]

Make an excuse you gotta go.

[Micheal6918]

I am feeling sleepy

[TonyMetal___1986]

Make an excuse

[Danny_dan92]

Stop responding

[CupOfCoffee01]

I have to make call.

[noohair]

Bathroom

[Amur8711]

Be honest