Hendrix Rivera

A polite exit usually works best if you use a quick formula: reason + appreciation + next step + close. For coworkers: 'I've got a hard stop in two minutes, but this was helpful — send me the notes and I'll reply after lunch.' Or 'I need to jump to my 3:30, let's pick this up tomorrow at 10 — does that work?' For neighbors: 'I've got to get dinner started, but it was great catching up — see you at the HOA meeting.' If there's no clear follow-up, appreciation + close still works: 'I'm going to head out, but I loved hearing about your trip — talk soon.' Pair your words with gentle exit cues: angle your body 45 degrees away, gather your bag/keys, take one small step back, and offer a parting smile or handshake. Give a heads-up before you run out of time: 'I've got about five minutes, then I need to peel off,' and actually wrap at five. Use a wrap line to signal the end: 'Before I go, is there anything else we should cover?' or 'I won't keep you.' If they keep going, kindly interrupt once: 'I want to hear the rest, but I can't give it attention right now — can we continue later?' Then close with action: start walking toward the door or say 'I'll email you this afternoon' and disengage.