How To Be Polite In A Boring Conversation 9 Steps With Pictures

Don’t slouch or fidget. This kind of body language shows that you are bored and looking for a way to escape. [1] X Research source Crossing your arms across your chest will make you look disinterested, and of course looking at your watch or checking your phone is a clear signal that your mind is elsewhere. [2] X Research source

Don’t just ask things like “Where did you go?” or “What happened next?” Try to ask more complicated questions that might open up to the conversation to other topics, and allow you to steer it in a different direction. For example, try asking questions that ask “why,” such as “Why do you think things happened that way?"[3] X Research source By asking more complicated questions you are showing curiosity and interest that goes beyond simple politeness. [4] X Research source

For example, if your friend is talking at length about the latest baseball game they went to see, don’t blurt in with “So, how’s school?” Try to intervene in a way which acknowledges the other person, but still enables you to subtly shift the conversation. For example, you might say something like “Yeah, it was a great game. That reminds me, did you manage to get all that school work done beforehand?”

You might say “My friend John is really into cars, I’d be interested to hear what he thinks about it. ” You can then bring the friend into the conversation. This can be a way to excuse yourself, but it can also be a way to broaden the topic and take some pressure off yourself. Generally, if there are more people involved in the conversation it won’t be such hard work for you.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I completely lost track of time, I really have get going. It was great talking to you, though. ” “I’d love to keep chatting, but I have to go and meet my husband. ” “I’m really sorry, but I’m running late and have to go. ”[6] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source

You might say “I’m not really an expert in this and it’s kind of hard to for me to follow. " Perhaps you could say “Wow, you sound like a real expert on X! I don’t really know a lot about X but I am really into Y. Do you like Y?” You might find that the person talking to you isn’t so interested in talking about this other topic and the conversation may come to a swifter end.

If you want to end a conversation politely, be ready with some conversation ender statements based on your level of engagement with the other person. [8] X Research source If the conversation was enjoyable and you would like to stay in touch with them, you can use a conversation ender statement such as “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed visiting with you and would like to continue this conversation. Would you be open to meeting for lunch sometime?"[9] X Research source If the conversation likely won’t go further, be polite and say, “I’ve appreciated our time together. Thanks for sharing the stories about your business travels. I’ll keep those lessons in mind on my travels. It’s been great visiting with you. “[10] X Research source

Alternatively, you might say something like, “My girlfriend really loves horror movies, I’ll tell her about it. It sounds like she’ll love it. ” You can point out that you have learned something from the conversation, and thank the person you were talking to. You might say, “I’d never really thought about it like that, thanks. ”[11] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source

A simple and positive goodbye could just be “nice talking to you, take care. ” A friendly and casual goodbye could be “I’ve got to run, take it easy. ”[13] X Research source