# How do you end conversations? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2013, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649 "2013-09-25T15:38:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/42 "2013-09-26T14:41:20Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Regards, > Shodan Brilliant!!! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/43 "2013-09-26T14:57:58Z")
> [@jamesrobert](#): > > [retirement plan analysis](http://www.maindatagroup.com/retirement-plan-data/) :- Snapshot information is that the solely total rewards benchmarking answer that features comprehensive program analytics. Retirement contributions ar typically the element of pay strategy that market leaders use to differentiate their pay packages from competitors, creating it a key component of total rewards benchmarking. Main information cluster offers a range of analytics to live each program style parts and actual contributions to total rewards among comparator firms. more at : [http://www.maindatagroup.com/](http://www.maindatagroup.com/) Bye-bye. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/44 "2013-09-26T15:44:39Z")
> [@jamesrobert](#): > > [retirement plan analysis](http://www.maindatagroup.com/retirement-plan-data/) :- Snapshot information is that the solely total rewards benchmarking answer that features comprehensive program analytics. Retirement contributions ar typically the element of pay strategy that market leaders use to differentiate their pay packages from competitors, creating it a key component of total rewards benchmarking. Main information cluster offers a range of analytics to live each program style parts and actual contributions to total rewards among comparator firms. more at : [http://www.maindatagroup.com/](http://www.maindatagroup.com/) Well that’ll end a conversation for sure ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/45 "2013-09-27T16:22:30Z")
"Let me get back to my rat-killin … " Often used in the South. Not that they’re actually killin’ rats, it’s just that there’s stuff to do. ---
**Author:** ![Whitney\_Harper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@Whitney\_Harper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whitney_Harper)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/46 "2013-09-27T16:44:07Z")
“It was great talking to you, and we’ll talk again soon” is a phrase I sometimes use to end a call. In addition, if someone is a really big talker you could say that you have to go to a meeting soon, and politely end the call. ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/47 "2013-09-27T17:02:12Z")
[Need answer fast?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKRBYGhqI8Y) ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/48 "2013-09-27T18:45:25Z")
I think a work situation is an excellent situation to use the line “Well, I need to get back to work” or “the slave pit” or “murdering electrons” or whatever you wish to use. It’s a work call, you’re supposed to be working, you just accomplished the reason for the call, now you have to go to whatever it is that you’re supposed to be doing. You called to get info, now you have to take that info and do something. Or you called to get someone else to do something, they’ve either done it, or they have to go do it. Either way, it’s “We no longer have anything to discuss. I’m going to do something else, and you can too.” But with a pretty facade. One that can be annoying is the “I’m taking up all your time” or “I’d better let you go”. What if I’m enjoying standing there with you? What if I’m not done but you’re trying to give me the brush off? That just leaves open the “Oh no, don’t go” response. Don’t use it as a passive agressive goodbye. Claim the initiative. “I need to …” rather than “I’m bothering you”. Unless you really are the one bothering them. > [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Of the two statements, I find the latter slightly more awkward than the former as ‘enjoy’ is slightly less common than ‘have a good’ outside the context of partaking of a specific pleasure like a meal or movie. Really? That just seems weird to me. See below. > [@Rachellelogram](#): > > Anything other than “rest of your day” without “the” in front. Am I the only person who thinks this phrase grates horribly on the ears? It needs to be taken out behind the shed and shot. Out of a cannon, into the sun. Yes. I get that sometimes when speaking informally off the cuff, you start saying phrases and they kinda mangle together to express the sentiment. They’re not fully constructed sentences before you start speaking, so sometimes awkward things come out. But that is an awkward phrase. “Have a good rest of” is not … elegant. Smooth. Harmonius. It’s awkward. It trundles along rather than gliding smoothly. Either say “Have a good afternoon/evening/day”, or say “Enjoy the rest of your day” or “I hope the rest of your day is pleasant” or something. But don’t “a good rest of”. ---
**Author:** ![Gilbert1984](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Gilbert1984](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gilbert1984)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/49 "2013-09-27T19:09:18Z")
[Quick look at watch] … Wow! It’s beer o’clock already. I’m late for an appointment. Gotta go. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/50 "2013-09-27T19:27:11Z")
On the phone with friends/family, I say I have to pee (which is generally true). On the phone with a customer, I tell them what we have agreed the next step/resolution is and if it’s their job I say ‘Keep me posted. Goodbye.’ If it’s mine I will tell them how I will get back to them and when and goodbye. Face to face, I generally will keep talking to people for a long time. When they are annoying/boring me, I use the bathroom excuse. (I have a very tiny bladder. I pee like every 30 minutes. Everyone knows this.) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/51 "2013-09-27T19:38:20Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Communication terminated! Heh. My brother used to poke an invisible place in the air and say, “End Conversatoin,” as if he were choosing an option in a computer RPG. It worked well. Today was parent conferences for me, and it’s mostly me talking about kids from my notes. At the end I say, “Well, that was everything I wanted to talk about. Do you have any questions or concerns?” Once those (if any) are resolved, I thank them for coming, reiterate how happy I am to have their child in my class (which happiness is of course a professional obligation, but I’m lucky to have kids that make it easy), and wish them a good weekend. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/52 "2013-09-27T19:57:19Z")
SlLENCE!! ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/53 "2013-09-27T19:59:51Z")
Have a good one. This can apply to anything, mean anything, and be taken anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Phil\_CostaMesa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Phil\_CostaMesa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phil_CostaMesa)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/54 "2013-09-27T20:07:48Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > How do you end a conversation you no longer want to have? > > …, there always comes a point in a business call where both sides realize that all the business has been conducted and its time to end the conversation. > > If the conversation involves scheduling an appointment, I have a natural ending - “See you on Tuesday”. But if there is no appointment the best I can do is “alright then…” and segue into an awkward good bye. > Anyone know a better way? Prepare conversation closings in advance. Things like, “Well, I’m glad we had this chance to talk. I’ll talk to you later. Thanks again.” Even if nothing was resolved you can say, “Well, in any case, I’m glad we had this talk. I appreciate your \_\_\_\_\_ (e.g., time, point of view, input). Thank you. Talk to you later.” In other words, ask yourself what YOU would like to hear, if the other person were ending the call. (The old Golden Rule) ---
**Author:** ![HenryDorsettCase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f19dbf/32.png) [@HenryDorsettCase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HenryDorsettCase)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/55 "2013-09-27T20:45:07Z")
If I’m sitting down, I stand up; if I’m standing up, I sit down (each move with some appropriate words). ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/56 "2013-09-27T21:36:32Z")
mmm mmm ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/57 "2013-09-27T21:48:49Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/3nGT4dV4s1w/hqdefault.jpg "SHUT THE FUCK UP") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nGT4dV4s1w) ---
**Author:** ![Pier\_red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac8455/32.png) [@Pier\_red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pier_red)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/58 "2013-09-29T14:36:39Z")
The original poster and the Chilean blob both say that they end the conversation with ‘see you on Tuesday’. A word of caution: in my country (England) ‘C U Next Tuesday’ is a very well understood euphemism for a part of the female anatomy, or an obnoxious person, as in ‘I’ve just met her ,boyfriend, and, between you and me, I think he’s a complete C U Next Tuesday.’ It is also used passive aggressively to someone’s face. So, to end a conversation with ‘C U Next Tuesday’ and then walk off impatiently is liable to cause offence here! Sorry about my country’s sense of humour. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/59 "2013-09-30T02:27:30Z")
“Shut the fuck up!” often works. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/60 "2013-09-30T18:58:39Z")
Oops, I’m furloughed, bye. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/61 "2013-09-30T20:45:07Z")
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