Is there a polite way to nudge a guest out the door?

[Venoma]

*Originally posted by Hemlock *
**True story:
When I was a student, I was invited to a function at the British Embassy in Wash DC. Being gauche, my 2 friends and I not only wore totally inappropriate clothing, but hung around after the function had finished, enjoying free booze, etc. The Ambassador, Sir Nicholas Henderson, came up to us and offered to give us a tour of the place. He took us on a verranda and showed us the garden and the house where the Queen stayed when she visited. Showed us the old paintings on the walls. Pointed out his office. Then, by magic, we were at the front door. “So nice of you to come”.

That’s the diplomatic way of doing it. **

Pure brilliance.

I usually either a. Say, I’m sorry, I have to take a bath, get ready for X tomorrow, have to do X early, etc etc. Sorry, but I need to get to bed for X reason. (this works if you’re out and being hassled not to leave yet.)
OR b. Sometime during the evening, mention that there is something that you absolutely MUST do at a certain time.

Of course, there’s always C. Start playing Quake3 and swearing like a sailor at the bloodthirsty bits.