Dealing with non-stop talkers?

[grumpyduck]

I need a couple of ideas for "dealing with" or "responding to" people who like to talk and go on and on about stuff they're interested in, regardless of whether you are or not. We know a few of these, and they're not assholes or self-absorbed -- they just like to talk.

Sometimes I want to say something or ask a question, but I'm afraid that it will just prolong the (mostly one-sided) conversation after it's gone on for a while.

I can handle it if they're conservatives talking politics -- I just say I don't like to talk politics and that generally works.

Any thoughts?

[Tetrachloride]

1. Buy an egg timer. Tell them if they don't share AND conclude

the conversation, they owe you 50 bucks.

Get a sign made up and have it posted.

[cbabe]

2. I taught a young kid who recited movie plots endlessly.

I said, let me explain the fine art of conversation. First, I say something. You think about it. And then you say the next thought. I think about that and add my new thought.

Took the kid maybe five seconds to catch on.

A tactic that works with adults: say new paragraph for a change of topic.

If the adult insists on monopolizing say: we talked about this five times. Then begin a new topic.

Their monopolizing the conversation is not about your asking questions or sharing your thoughts.

You’re probably going to put on your be bold hat. But will be happier.

[Sanity Claws]

3. Not the best but what I do is say something like

Sorry, I got to go.
That works if you are on the phone but not if you are at a party or family dinner.

[EYESORE 9001]

4. Air horn + megaphone

[underpants]

5. "I collect clown skins"

“Have you tasted blood?”

I was thinking about this subject just the other day and thought I’d come up a couple quick bits to say as one of these people take a breath, really just to prove that they aren’t listening.

Yeah I have one at work and I’ve dealt with others before. Should you get a chance to speak you can just see the wheels turning in their head waiting for YOU to take a breath. They clearly aren’t listening to you.

[grumpyduck]

6. Yup, ain't that the truth.

[vanlassie]

7. Raise your hand?

[Midnight Writer]

8. Bathroom. You have to go to the bathroom, bye, see ya later.