How To Know When To Drop A Subject

[ignoramus]

Is it true that Prince died to revive his popularity? That's what I'm hearing?
First he became a symbol, now an everlasting memory! He's a clever bugger....

[Losty]

It's a lot easier in person. When the person you are talking with is seeming awkward or uncomfortable, it's time for a topic change.

In text is harder but if you're typing paragraphs and getting 2-3 word responses it might be time.

You don't need to announce you're changing the topic. Just start talking about something else. If you're worried that might be awkward, just say "that reminds me" and then talk about something else.

[paulpablo]

I like "Well, there's only one way out of that situation."

And then when someone says "What?" say "I don't know. I just think there's probably only one way out of that situation." Followed by an awkward silence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0AM4GJAqm0

7:56 of this scene.

[Edwardo Piet]

It's a lot easier in person. When the person you are talking with is seeming awkward or uncomfortable, it's time for a topic change.

In text is harder but if you're typing paragraphs and getting 2-3 word responses it might be time.

This is all super helpful

You don't need to announce you're changing the topic. Just start talking about something else. If you're worried that might be awkward, just say "that reminds me" and then talk about something else.

It's definitely preferable to just start talking about something else the to announce it. But I struggle to do that because my problem is I can never think of a topic and I therefore go quiet unless I keep talking about the same thing.

[Losty]

If you say "how 'bout that local sports team?" it will use humor to alleviate some awkwardness while cueing your conversation partner that you're wanting to move on but can't think of anything to say. It gives them a chance to change the subject without feeling rude. I do this a lot when I realize I have accidentally bored someone to death with my choice of conversation topic.

[Edwardo Piet]

Does it work if I try to be funny but fail epicly due to a complete lack and absence of an actual joke, humor and wit (like now)?

[Losty]

Does it work if I try to be funny but fail epicly due to a complete lack and absence of an actual joke, humor and wit (like now)?

I think so. Though, it could make things more awkward.

[Silver]

At work, it's not so much that looking around is a queue that the conversation is unimportant. It's that we are looking around for customers that are approaching the counter.

Granted, where I work, there are some who talk and don't look around, but I am the type who looks around because I know that is my first priority over the conversation I am having.

[Edwardo Piet]

Balls. I am doomed to a life of awkwardness. Oh well at least some people like me anyway

[Edwardo Piet]

Sometimes I PM people when I am drunk. That can be awkward...