Most of us, myself included, will do whatever we can to avoid conversations with people we don’t like.
And that makes sense: why mentally torture youself?
But because the universe is a “biscuit” — as my university mate would say — people you dislike or hate will come into your life.
Here are a few situations in which you can’t avoid talking with someone you find “ugh”:
- School alumni reunions
- Family gatherings
- Professional meetings (especially if it’s with your boss)
And you can’t just tell them off like this lass does:
Rather than blowing up at them, here are a few ways to gracefully end the conversation:
Check in with yourself emotionally
Before figuring out what you should say, first figure out what you’re feeling. By being aware of your dislike influencing your behavior, you’re less likely to say something you will regret later.
Here’s how to accept and even understand your dislike.
Remind yourself that you might see them again
If you’re talking with a family member or colleague, you will probably bump into them again. Even if they are mere acquaintances or strangers, a bad reputation spreads faster than you think.
Keeping all this in perspective will make it easier to exit the conversation gracefully — it can be as simple as saying “see you next time”.
Avoid making excuses – just be direct
Inventing a reason to leave is understandable, since it can feel rude to end a conversation without one. Even if you don’t like someone, you probably don’t want to offend them.
Here’s the truth though: you can end a conversation cordially without ever making excuses. Check out these 12 simple phrases to end a conversation politely.
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