Dear Queenie,
I have a couple of friends who call me and talk for hours about nothing important, just how they spend their day and what they bought at the supermarket, etc.
I don’t want to hang up on them, but there are other things I would rather be doing, like watch my favorite TV program or just read a good book.
Queenie, what is a polite way to end such a conversation?—Phone hostage
Dear Hostage,
Do you have caller ID? If so, do not answer the phone when one of these friends calls you unless you are willing to listen. When you do answer their calls, immediately set a time limit – “Sorry, I’m busy doing (whatever), I can only talk for a few minutes” – and when you have had enough, “Sorry, I have to go now, goodbye” and hang up.
And, do these time-wasters know each other? If not, introduce them and encourage them to call each other.
