it may take a few minutes or even an hour for a particularly interesting conversation to 
end. Running out of things to talk about is not a failure and does not mean that you are 
boring. It is a normal feature of all conversations.
Typically, people try to ﬁnd graceful ways to get out of conversations that have 
run their course. At a party, you might excuse yourself to reﬁll your drink or visit the 
bathroom. Or, it may be appropriate to mention politely that you need to catch up with 
another person at the party. In a work setting, people often end the conversation with 
a reference to work (for instance, “Well, I need to get back to work”) or a pledge to 
continue the conversation later (“Perhaps we can have lunch together some time soon”). 
Often, simply saying something like, “It’s been nice talking to you, but I need to run” is 
sufﬁcient. If you have enjoyed the conversation, be sure to let your conversation partner 
know that (“I’ve really enjoyed talking to you. I hope we get a chance to talk again”).