# 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:** 12\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Delayed\_Reflex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/delayed_reflex/32/3172_2.png) [@Delayed\_Reflex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delayed_Reflex)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/62 "2013-09-30T23:15:19Z")
On the phone, it’s usually “thanks, bye!” In person, I tend to always say “see ya” or “see you later”, but it always feels a bit weird when I inadvertently say that to people that I know I will never see again. Lately I’ve picked up “take it easy” but have no idea why or who I may have picked it up from. ---
**Author:** ![Archeonomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Archeonomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archeonomist)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/63 "2013-10-01T00:06:38Z")
“Well. To Hell with you. I’m going home” (look at watch) “Good God! I should have been on the toilet five minutes ago!” (run off) ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/64 "2013-10-01T00:26:35Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Oh god, I love the TV goodbye so much. Nobody converses that way! You can’t just hang up the phone, people! I know right! My stepmother, RIP, used to do that all the time! Id be like, “Bye love you!” and she’d be like, “Click”. It was just her. She did it with everyone. Very abrupt and disconcerting! ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/65 "2013-10-01T02:18:36Z")
I find that “Hey, it’s great to see you!” can be dropped in almost anywhere and brings on the conversational endgame. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/66 "2013-10-01T02:55:24Z")
I reach out and twist their nipple as tho I’m turning off a old TV set. Male or female. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/67 "2013-10-01T13:52:46Z")
I used to suck at ending conversations, but after a little bit of time, I realized it just takes a bit of assertiveness in realizing I’m done with it and just letting the other person know and, unless there’s been a miscommunication, they ought to feel the same way. The easiest way is something along the lines of “I’ve got to get going” or “I’ll let you go now”, and that will usually bring the conversation to a quick end. There’s always the bit more direct “Ok, well it’s been good talking to you. Have a good one.” I’ve always kind of thought the way it was done on TV and in movies, where they just have the important part of the conversation and none of the salutations or chit-chat was pretty awesome, but I don’t think I’ve even successfully just hung up without saying goodbye and be taken as offensive. Hmm… If it’s in person and the conversation peters out, I don’t do the whole awkward silence thing, I just do something else. Particularly at work, it’s really easy, have a conversation, it kind of comes to an end, I get back to work, or go back to my desk. Sometimes people will keep talking while I work, but that’s just how some people are I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/68 "2013-10-01T14:58:58Z")
“That is all!” ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/69 "2013-10-01T19:18:18Z")
Just kick them in the balls, they’ll stop talking. Bonus, they’ll probably never talk to you again. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/70 "2013-10-01T20:07:38Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > 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. Sometimes I really feel like I am taking up all your time. I like talking to you, but I’m sure you have better things to do. :o Of course I mean the generic you. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/71 "2013-10-01T21:14:49Z")
If they’re giving you impatient dirty looks, or starting to get antsy, then yeah, you’re taking up their time. But if you’re tired of the conversation while they’re merrily chatting along, then suck it up and own the brush off. ---
**Author:** ![Gateway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Gateway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gateway)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/72 "2013-10-01T22:01:24Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > How do you end a conversation you no longer want to have? > > If I’m talking to a friend, I say “I have to go now” and that always works. However, 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. Even worse is sometimes I try to summarize the business that was conducted during the conversation and end up almost repeating the whole conversation and still ending up with silence before trying to end the call. > > Anyone know a better way? Try screaming at the top of your lungs as you writhe around on the ground. If that doesn’t work… maybe- “We had a good discussion… take care til we talk again!” That may help ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649/73 "2013-10-01T22:17:27Z")
{Jon Lovitz voice}So long, losers.{/JLV} [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-end-conversations/669649.md?page=3)