Ending a phone call politely with someone who won't stop talking can be a delicate situation. Here are some polite ways to bring the conversation to a close:
Express appreciation and set expectations: Start by expressing gratitude for the conversation and their time. Then, politely mention that you have some other commitments or need to attend to something shortly. For example, you could say: "Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me; I really appreciate our conversation. I'm afraid I have another appointment I need to attend to, so I'll have to let you go soon."
Use a time-bound excuse: You can use a specific time or event as a reason for needing to end the call. For instance: "I've enjoyed talking to you, but I have a meeting starting in a few minutes that I need to prepare for."
Offer to follow up later: Politely suggest that you both can continue the conversation later at a more convenient time: "I'd love to hear more about this, but I have to attend to something urgently now. Could we continue this discussion later today or tomorrow?"
Be direct but gentle: If the person continues talking even after you've tried the above approaches, you may need to be more assertive while maintaining politeness. You can say something like: "I apologize for interrupting, but I have to end the call now. Let's catch up again soon."
Avoid blaming or criticizing: Keep the focus on your own situation rather than pointing out that the other person is talking too much. Avoid saying things like, "You've been talking for a long time."
End on a positive note: No matter how the call goes, try to end the conversation on a positive and friendly tone. Thank them for their time and reiterate that you value your conversations with them.
Remember, being polite is essential, but it's also important to set boundaries for yourself when necessary. If the person repeatedly dominates conversations and doesn't allow you to speak or respect your time, you may want to address this issue with them at a later point when you can have a more constructive discussion about communication dynamics.