The 4 Words That Get You Out Of A Conversation

Whether you’re trying to slip out early or just want to avoid the awkward am-I-staying-or-going dance, it’s not always easy to get out the door at a social event. It turns out, there’s an art to saying goodbye to your host and actually getting out the door and many of us haven’t mastered it yet.

A foolproof formula can help you easily escape a gathering, and it’ll come in handy at the holiday parties you’ll be going to this month. There are two main parts to any good exit, involving both verbal and non-verbal ways to signal you’re saying goodbye.

• First up is the departure statement - It’s just a couple of short, to-the-point words that make it clear you’re ready to leave. Something like “Heading out!” or “It’s time!” will do the trick. There’s no need to overexplain or use qualifiers like “Probably time to leave” or “Probably should get going” as that invites the host to push you to stay longer.
• The second part is expressing your gratitude to the host - This is also straightforward and brief, along the lines of “Amazing party!” or “Such fun!”
• While saying goodbye, use some non-verbal cues - Smile, nod your head and maybe put your hands up in a shrug to show there’s nothing you can do, it’s just time to go.
• You could throw in a one-liner to add some humor - Something like “I’m going to head out before I hit the buffet for round five” or “Like my grandfather always said, ‘If you yawn, you’re gone’” can make it less awkward and may earn you a smile from your host on your way out.
• Is it ever okay to leave without saying goodbye? - This used to be considered rude, but now it’s more acceptable. If you need to make a quick, unannounced departure, send the host a quick follow-up message, like “I had to run, but the party was amazing. Thank you for including me.” Of course, this won’t work for a small dinner party, when people will notice if you disappear and you’ll need to use those four magic words to get out the door and be on your merry way.

Source: Time