Have you ever been stuck in a phone conversation that seemed endless? So, what should be done to end the conversation in a polite way? If that question is on your mind, try reading this article to politely end a telephone conversation in order to maintain positive relationships with those closest to you!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Reducing the Intensity of Conversation
Step 1. Focus on the conversation at hand
Towards the end of the conversation, make sure you don't "invite" the other person to tell you something else. For example, even if you are genuinely interested in the topic he is bringing up, don't ask questions that will invite him to continue.
- For example, if your mom is telling a really hot piece of gossip, don't ask open-ended questions like, "Where did you hear that from?" Instead, respond to the story with a statement like, "You can't easily believe other people's words, ah." Statements are useful for closing the conversation and helping you move on to other, more important topics to talk about.
- If the person is your business partner and the situation requires you to get the conversation back on track, try responding to his or her words with statements that indicate that the things he or she just said are also important to you. Then, immediately raise a new topic. For example, you might say, "Thanks for bringing up the salary issue, okay? After this I will directly convey to the manager of the company. Oh yeah, I wanted to discuss the progress of your quarterly report.”
Step 2. Wait for a pause in the conversation to appear
In fact, the entire conversation is bound to be tinged with pauses. When the other person stops talking, use the pause to convey that you need to end the conversation immediately.
Make sure you're not the one providing the break. If the situation reverses, it is feared that the person will start telling you a new story. However, if that's the case, simply let them know that you're happy to chat with them, and that you'll be back in contact with them but need to end the conversation now. Don't prolong your goodbyes
Step 3. Interrupt the words
Although this behavior is often considered rude, the fact is that you can also interrupt someone's words in a polite way!
- Use this method only if the situation is urgent and there is no other way to try. After that, don't forget to share your apologies! For example, you can interrupt his words when there is an emergency situation that needs to be addressed at that time. In addition, you can also apply this method if you have conveyed a specific time limit in advance.
- For example, you may be communicating with a business associate when someone suddenly walks into the room and reminds you to attend a meeting. Present the situation to the other person and explain that you will be contacting them again to resolve any unfinished discussions.
- If faced with an emergency situation, simply say, "Sorry to interrupt you, but my dog just threw up and I need to get him checked."
- If you've mentioned a specific time limit beforehand, remind the other person by saying, "Sorry to dive in, but my break is over and I have to get back to work."
Step 4. Define the time limit you have
If the time limit has been stated from the start, your efforts to end the conversation won't make the situation awkward or unpleasant. Early on, say that you only have 5 or 10 minutes to chat. If he has to ask a question or say something important, knowing those boundaries can help him focus on the topics that really matter.
- In addition, time limits can also bridge you to the last topic or question. After the person has responded, say thank you and end the conversation immediately.
- If that person is your business partner, setting a time limit can help both parties prioritize the most important topics. For example, you might say, “I only have 5 minutes before my next meeting, but I need to ask you how your quarterly report is progressing.” After hearing his response, thank him and let him know that he needs to submit the report in the near future.
Part 2 of 3: Ending the Conversation
Step 1. Express your apology
If you have to end the conversation abruptly, make sure you say sorry. Explain that you don't want to end the conversation either, but that you have to because there's an important situation that needs to be addressed.
Step 2. Show that you enjoyed the conversation
Make it clear that you appreciate his phone and that it was a pleasure to chat with him. In this way, he will realize that his existence is really important to you.
Step 3. Plan your next chat
If the person is a close friend or relative, scheduling the next chat can help you end the conversation more quickly. Why is that? By doing so, the person knows that the topic he wants to talk about can be shared in the near future. In other words, he didn't feel the need to convey everything in one go.
- Don't ask for a good time to call him back so the conversation doesn't drag on. Instead, let them know that you'll be contacting them via email or text message to ask about their free time.
- If you haven't found a specific time, try recommending an ambiguous time adverb. For example, you could say, "I'll call you again this week or this weekend, okay?"
- If you talk to the person often enough, try saying, "We'll talk later, okay?" Doing so indicates that the relationship between the two of you will not be broken without having to limit yourself to a specific time span.
Step 4. Recommend alternative ways to communicate with him
If you don't like chatting over the phone, try recommending another communication channel, such as Skype, text message, or email.
- If that person is your business partner, let them know that you can provide a faster response via email instead of phone. Try initiating that line of communication by being the first to send the email. In the email, continue what you were discussing on the phone and encourage him to respond via email.
- Sometimes phone conversations can last longer because the other person feels the need to share all the information you haven't known since your last conversation. Therefore, try to maintain communication through social media (such as Facebook), text messages, or email so that he doesn't feel burdened by the whole story over the phone.
- Tell the person that you will send the things that were discussed on the phone via email or text message. Although the conversation does not end immediately, at least you can control it according to the desired tempo. After all, sending text messages or e-mails is an advanced method of communication that has become increasingly popular, you know!
Part 3 of 3: Making the Right Plan
Step 1. Call him in the middle of his activity
If you know that the person you're talking to is very chatty, try calling them in between scheduled meetings, important activities, or other activities. Then say that you only have 10 minutes to chat but really need to talk about something. Introducing a time limit early in the conversation can help him understand your situation.
Often times, a talkative person will try to tell you “one other thing” when you try to end the conversation. If you've made it clear from the start that you only have 10 minutes, it will help him prioritize the important topics first
Step 2. Consider the busyness
Try to find information about the person's daily routine. If you know he's eating at a certain time and has limited time to chat, try calling him at that time. For example, you can call her at lunchtime or right before she has dinner. Thus, the burden of quickly ending the conversation no longer rests on your shoulders, but on his shoulders.
Show you care about his busy life. When you call her, try saying, "I know you're having lunch, but I need to talk about a few things when you have time."
Step 3. Call him back
If he calls when you don't have time to chat for hours, don't pick up! However, make sure you get back in touch with him on the same day so he doesn't feel shunned or shunned.
- Honestly explain why you can't pick up the phone. For example, you might be working on an important project, working out at the gym, or completing an academic assignment. Also say your apologies for missing the call.
- When you have enough free time to chat, call him back so the person doesn't misunderstand. To show that you appreciate and care about what he's trying to tell him over the phone, call him back and give him your full attention this time.
- If you realize that you won't have much free time for the day, don't ignore the phone. First, ask him why he called you. Chances are, he has very important information he has to pass on to you. Then, if he says he just wants to chat, just let him know that you're busy with something and will stay busy throughout the day. Then, ask if you can call him back when the rush has subsided.
Step 4. Write down the things you want to cover
If you have to call someone who talks a lot for a specific reason, try writing down those reasons beforehand so the conversation doesn't get off track.
Applying this method will remind you of really important topics whenever the conversation starts to get off track. If possible, try to relate the other person's words to the topic you've written about to get the flow back: "Oh, I remember telling you what happened yesterday!"
Tips
- Being honest is always the best course of action. If you keep giving the same excuses, the other person will feel unappreciated or even guilty for thinking they have done something to offend you.
- Be polite and assertive. If he ignores your refusal to continue talking, feel free to reiterate your desire to end the conversation.
Warning
- Be more sensitive to the needs of others. Chances are, taking the extra time on the phone to chat with someone who is in need of a listener is far more important than anything you want to do at the time.
- Don't make excuses that don't make sense (such as, "Oh, I have to eat this pie now," or "I'm sorry, I have to wash my hair."). Such excuses will only make the other person feel annoyed!
