How To Know When To Drop A Subject

[Regina]

I think the key is to realize that conversations do not need a formal 'ending' to just be over.

This exactly, and I feel it's especially relevent over texts and online talk as well

I had this one friend who got offended with me because I sometimes I wouldn't text him back. It's not like it was shade, it was just that we'd been talking and the conversation had got to a point where it tailed off so I didn't feel a need to reply.

I find it's easy in person to tell when someone is interested in what you're talking about though. Conversations are a mutual exchange. They don't necessarily need to be talking back but there are non-verbal cues like eye contact, clearly turning to face you, nodding is another common one. People nod and change up their facial expressions a lot when they're really listening, they'll appear to react with body and facial language even if they don't verbally say anything.