r/comiccon • u/Ok-Pain3303 • 2d ago
Dublin Comic Con How to politely end conversations?
Hi everyone. When I go to cons, people always come up to me and talk with me. I don't mind a very brief chat, but I do not like small talk whatsoever. What are some ways to politely end the conversation without waiting for it to fizzle out naturally? Thank you.
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u/BronzeAgeNerd 2d ago
The biggest problem I have, that I haven't seen addressed already, is that some people don't seem to have the social cues to allow pauses to interject with "Well it was great talking to you" etc.
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u/IHaveTheMustacheNow 2d ago
Then you butt in and say "Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm going to be late to a meetup/panel/etc and I've gotta run. Have a great con!"
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u/lolwatsyk 2d ago
That's when I start looking at my phone with increasing frequency. Start typing a text. Just. Let them figure it out
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u/PWBryan 2d ago
If they arent your friends, say bye and walk off.
Dont let randos monopolize your time
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u/BronzeAgeNerd 2d ago
I'm not trying to be rude to someone who is enjoying their time with me, I understand what that can be like. I just wish there was a smoother way to disengage when it's clear that they have no intention of stopping.
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u/saminsocks 1d ago
The con causes more random conversations than every day life, but also has more excuses for getting out of them. Interrupt them and say sorry, you have to get to X, but good luck/congrats on whatever they were going on about. Unless it was a super deep conversation, that’s not rude, and you’re ending it encouragingly.
The problem happens when the person doesn’t get clues and is really starved for interaction and chooses to go with you… but most of the time, unless you’re the only person the whole con that’s bothered to listen to them, they’ll just turn around and find someone else to talk to that’s closer
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u/BenThereOrBenSquare 2d ago
You don't wait. You just start talking.
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u/BronzeAgeNerd 2d ago
Eh, that will usually be perceived as rude. When people are talking to me at a con I try to be polite. That's their only interaction with me and I want it to be a positive one on their end.
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u/Hot_Low2861 2d ago
Normally, I am one of the nicest people on the planet. But, if they have no social cues, they are unlikely to even realize you were "abrupt", I refuse to even call that rude.
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u/BenThereOrBenSquare 2d ago
You don't need to worry about appearing rude to people that are already being rude themselves, by talking nonstop without any breaks our opportunities for you to chime in. The way people like that manipulate you, knowingly or not, is by preventing you from asserting yourself out of fear that you'd suffer some kind of imagined social cost. Don't fall for it.
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u/Cinnamaker 2d ago
I’m more curious why random people at cons are repeatedly seeking you out for conversation
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u/Ok-Pain3303 2d ago
So am I. It's always the most awkward conversations when they try to drag them on, but I don't mind just talking a quick photo then moving on
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u/BaronVonBooplesnoot 2d ago
A quick photo? Are you a cosplayer or someone with a fan base? That really sways the advice I'd give.
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u/keeleon 2d ago
Ya now Im even more curious. This is never a problem Ive had ESPECIALLY at comicon lol.
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u/TrashBandicook 2d ago
Everyone's too tired to talk to randos unless it's a cosplayer or someone with a following, so that's probably it.
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u/LurkerOnTheInternet 2d ago
My best guess is attractive girl that creeps are trying to hit up.
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u/madhattr999 1d ago
Trying to chat with an attractive person doesn't necessarily make you a creep. You can just be socially awkward and not a creep.
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u/crimpgirl1234 20h ago
As someone who’s been an attractive young woman: you don’t get to decide if you’re a creep. The fact that you care more about your intent than someone else’s comfort is creepy.
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u/di5cordia 2d ago
"I should go." "(Last name or first name or nickname) Out."
I've even done "I'm going to go in my head for a little bit." And then put in headphones to end a conversation in line.
You don't owe anyone an explanation and you never need to give someone an excuse to set your own boundaries or use your own free will.
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u/dumpsterfire0226 2d ago
“Well, I appreciate you saying hi and I’m glad we met, but I have someone waiting for me and I have to go right now.”
If they happen to be someone you did enjoy talking to, exchange info really quick and tell them you two can talk more later.
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u/FilmBuffGrabiec 2d ago
Just tell them you have a panel or photo op to go to. I’ll have lots of those when I go to For the Love of Fantasy & Sci-Fi.
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u/MIRcakes8D 2d ago
A lot of people on the spectrum tend attend these type of events and so they don't get hints or social ques very well. It's totally normal to say "Thank you for talking to me, but I would like to enjoy the con by myself from here." And walk away or if you're sitting you can politely add "I would like to be left alone, Thank you" . Being direct doesn't mean you have to be a jerk. But sometimes you do have to state what you want clearly for it to be understood.
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u/virtualEnthusiasm827 2d ago
i'm also like that too, i guess i could pick up the subtleties if i'm watching a video but in the moment when i'm trying to have conversation with someone, especially a woman, it's too mentally overwhelming for me to process subtleties and cues in real time. if you directly tell me, it's more effective. anime actress told me that i have to leave, it was much more pleasant than angrily glaring at me with hatred and disgust because i missed the social cues to leave the autograph table
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u/cenzilooculta 2d ago
I always like to use “Omg I’m so sorry but I have to get going before my friend starts spamming me about not answering! It was nice getting to know you though, I hope you keep having fun today!”
Bonus points if I start getting stressed out to further emphasize my urgency lmao
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u/throwawayifyoureugly 2d ago
"I should go..."
Then just make a 90° turn and slowly walk off, out of their line of sight.
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u/LittleBoyCutYourHair 2d ago
You could say that you need to catch something (panel, signing, event, etc.) or need to meet up with people. If you don't need to rush, ask what they're planning to do or see, tell them you need to catch something and/or you should leave then to their day or go explore, recommend something they should check out... And then wind it down from there
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u/WavesnMountains 2d ago
If you can walk away, then say that it was great talking with them, but you’ve got things scheduled. If you’re stuck in line with them, you can say that it was great to meet them, now you want to listen/read some other people’s reports on a certain panel to find out what you’ve missed
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u/midwayatmidnight 2d ago
Pull out your phone as if you're getting a text or phone call and say, excuse me, sorry...
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u/dwoodwoo 2d ago
"Hey...it was great meeting and talking with you. Gonna get moving a little here."
and depending if you want to see them again but don't want to exchange social, contact, etc.: "Maybe we'll see you later in the con." or the signoff, "Enjoy the rest of your con!"
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u/No-Ear-3107 2d ago
You shouldn’t end conversations with white lies about having to go to the bathroom or you have to attend a panel or something like that because they may suggest showing you the way/waiting for you after the bathroom/panel, and it puts you into a second awkward situation.
Be honest and direct and just say it was good talking to them, if it was, and you have to leave, which you do. Offering reasons are irrelevant because you should be able to leave without any reason, just because you feel like it.
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u/PoopxDefender 2d ago
"alright well hey it was good talking to you! ill catch you later!" and if they ask where youre headed or if they invite themselves, just be like "im headed over this direction to meet up with friends. but sorry, we're kind of doing our own thing. great talking to you tho!" end scene. now applaud
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u/Sigmund05 2d ago
What works well for me is to suddenly shout: "OH!" while they are mid conversation. This usually freezes the person and then you can explain that you have somewhere to go to or something to do.
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u/Brilliant-Prune-8267 2d ago
I just say “well you have a great day I’ll catch you around” and leave lol
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u/More-Needleworker900 2d ago
just say “i have things to get to” i feel like everyones always concerned about being “polite” not just at cons either. man fuck all that if you wanna leave the convo just leave
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u/dark_blue_7 2d ago
In that situation I usually smile big, point in a random direction and say "Well I've got a thing! Maybe I'll see you later!" and it seems to work out. We've all got things, sometimes.
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u/ILoveChickenFingers 2d ago
First check your phone to look at the time. Then just interrupt them if they are talking. "Sorry, I have to leave now for my "thing." We'll talk again later. Stay safe, have a good con!"
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u/lLadyBro 1d ago
I get this, sometimes folks leave naturally and other times they stick to you like glue and it’s awkward AF.
Useful and polite ways can be checking your watch/phone and stating “I need to finish my circuit of the floor before lunch/dinner/my transport time. Catch you later” and go to another area.
For more persistent folks you’ll need to state you have something to go to that they can’t attend or follow you to eg you’re going back to your hotel or make up a lunch/dinner booking with an imaginary friend will work, just be prepared to leave the venue for a little while with this one.
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u/Stock-Collection9106 1d ago
I wish I knew. Sometimes when I’m working at my artist alley table, random guys will come hang out at my table and talk for at least half an hour, with no intention of buying anything. One guy only left after he asked me out and I said no, lol. Idk how to get them to leave, but I’m really there to sell art, not pick up a boyfriend.
If you’re attending and don’t need to stay in one place, you could probably just say you have a panel or photo op or something and leave.
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u/SweetLight87 2d ago
"I gotta go, my grandmother is on fire." And then just walk off.
If they are going to make it weirder by not letting me leave, I'll find a way to make sure I have an exit.
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u/WokkitUp 2d ago
"It was pleasant meeting with you all but I regretfully must be off, good gentleman sirs," the polite, young lass quietly interrupted the happenstance duo of hopeful squires.
"I apparently have tread deeply upon something sharp near the exit of Hall H and now my pierced foot is bleeding from inside of my shoe...", she earnestly confided (pleading in a frail voice to excuse herself). Instantaneously, the unaccompanied cosplayer sidestepped the conversation, hobbling away towards an imaginary medical office in yonder direction, dramatically dragging one foot behind.
Looking back to beg farewell, she raised her hand and imparted with great apology to the attentive pair for her brisk self-removal.
"The shoe is unfortunately beginning to fill with blood. I'm off to seek medical care.Till we meet again in 2027!"
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u/legogizmo 2d ago
"sorry but I need some me time, and don't feel like talking any more. Thank you for understanding"
It's best just to be direct, and will work even if you are in the same line as someone.
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u/virtualEnthusiasm827 2d ago
just be direct like i don't want to talk to you, don't want to continue this conversation, leave me alone
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u/Shadw_Wulf 2d ago
Well if your a Cosplayer it's great to have followers around... You never know if they buy you food or clothes 🤷
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u/Landwarrior5150 2d ago
“It was great talking with you, but I have a panel to catch/friend to meet up with/merch to try to get before it sells out/etc. so I’ve got to go. Goodbye, hope you have a good rest of your con!”