It’s been said that everyone you meet is interesting if you know how to ask the right questions. It’s been my experience that this is true. . .for about thirty minutes. After that, you should think about having an exit strategy.
Have you ever been cornered at a party by a Chatty Cathy when what you really wished to do was to mingle with the other guests? What do you do if she is babbling endlessly and you can’t seem to escape?
If you’re lucky, you’ll have a friend who will sense your need of a rescue. Your rescuer (bless her heart), will know to walk over and say, “I hate to be rude and butt in, but you did promise Iris that you were going to talk to her about that issue, and I'm afraid she's getting ready to leave.” This is really the perfect rescue because no hint needs to be given and no feelings need to be hurt.
Of course, not everyone has a friend that is in tune with the whole rescue thing. In that case, you have to take matters into your own hands. “Yikes, I think Iris is getting ready to leave and I promised her that I was going to talk to her about something. It was great visiting with you.”
Your objective is to get away without insulting. If the talk to Iris thing doesn’t work, then you become the bore! Simply drone on about something in your life that is only interesting to you. “Let me tell you about my mom’s cataract surgery!” Once you start to out-bore the bore, she’ll be the one who will want to move on and she’ll think it was all her idea.
Finally, there’s the pass. Pass Chatty Cathy on to someone else. It might not be the nicest thing to do but why should you have to spend the majority of the party being the entertainment? It’s time you were relieved of your duty. Perhaps you might even find someone with whom Cathy has something in common. So if there’s another scrapbooker in the area, beckon her over and say, “you two need to meet.” Then share some information about each person: “Cathy just returned from the Memories Expo in Orlando!” Now you’ve jump-stated their conversation, distracting them, allowing your getaway.
Next: Party manners 101: what to do about your food limitations
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Comments
OMG! I so needed this. It's hard to do this in person. On the phone, for telemarketers, it's great fun. For example: A telemarketer will call trying to sell me theatre tickets, and then, I'll sigh and start sadly telling him how I used to have season tickets when I was going with my boyfriend, but then, he left me...and he left me to pay for the last theatre subscription...and oh, I would love to go...but the memories...
Of course, the sad story has to match whatever is being sold, but it's great fun being creative. It works every time
That picture is priceless! No one could stay in a bad mood after seeing it!
"I need to use the restroom is almost too easy, but it works."
Love the last two pictures. The two dogs in the middle look like Sophie and Bennie!
bj, you sort of did out bore the bore...in your own unique way!
Doing this in person requires some skills. Actually, I think it's been done to me!
Oh the thought of this just makes me not want to go to parties! Now anytime someone who is talking to me and actually does have to use the restroom, or refill their drink or talk to Iris, I will be convinced that I am the bore!!!
Loved this column, great hints, as always! Pix is priceless! Now I've just got to get invited to a party with boring people and test these out! :)
This might be the best party advice ever!
Steve, your mom is funny!
Great article subject considering this is bound to happen to everyone atleast once but mostly likely many more times at social gatherings.
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