Anybody else have a super friendly lady at the store that always seems to shop when you do, and when she spots you there you can never get away? I went to the store earlier and my frozen foods almost thawed before I could get out! The lady that stopped me is very friendly. She works with my mom and has known me since I was a little kid. I like her, but she can go on forever about her allergies or some random person I have never heard of before. I wouldn't want to hurt her feelings in a million years, but I can never seem to get away to get my shopping done. If you have one of these ladies in your life, how do you politely move on?
I don't mind visiting with her at all, I just don't always have as much time as she does.
I casually look at my phone and say - oh my, is it 2:30 already? It's been lovely talking to you, but I really have to run. Works when you're trying to get off a phone conversation too.
when you first see her, give her the old, "hi there! yeah, just stopped in real quick to get a couple things, on my way to________" then you have a ready made excuse when the time comes, "WOW i have got to get out of here, so good to see you!"
She's probably a little lonely, so try to give her a few minutes and a nice greeting and smile and then say "Mrs. _____ it's nice to chat with you but I have to pick up my kids" (or a fitting excuse that requires you to be on your way).
It may seem like a drag to carry on what you consider a meaningless conversation, but to some people, you just might be the highlight of their day. I don't mean you should take part in a negative or gossipy conversation, I just mean its nice to try and uplift another person when we can.
Blessings...
Oh Lord, this happens to me on a daily basis because I'm an apartment manager. I'm in my office slaving over paperwork and a tenant comes in to tell me some drama.... I listen for a few minutes but I eventually hafta say "I really have to get back to work"... seriously it doesnt hurt someones feelings when you tell them you are in a hurry and gotta go or whatever. Just do it.
"I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm meeting xxx for lunch at xxx"
"Do you know what time it is? I can't be late picking up the kids"
"I hate to cut you short, but I have a doctor's appt"
If you have tried to gracefully exit but get desperate, pretend your phone rang or you got a text. Say, "Oh, I'm sorry. It's my husband and I've needed to talk to him all morning. I'll have to talk to you later. Have a good day!" with a big smile and walk away. Then if your phone actually rings while you're "on it" simply react like the phone was messing up and they called again. Cell phones do that you know. :)
If you have more shopping to do and she is still there, call your hubby or whomever you said it was and have a conversation while you shop. I know a little annoying to the rest of the peeps in there and a little distracting for you, but hey, you are getting your shopping done!
If you say you have to pick-up the kids, then you feel rushed to finish when you really wanted to take your time shopping and not conversing with someone else. It's a hard one!
Always have an appointment you need to be at within an hour or so of shopping.
"Marge, it's so great talking with you but I've got a play date/hair appointment/pedicure/soccer practice/pool date/etc in about 90 min and I need to get a move on! Can we meet for coffee later on this week?" and then do it (really socialize with her outside of the store).
In fact, if you know other people who know and like her (your Mom, for one), perhaps as a group all of you can loosely coordinate things/events to do with her/invite her to (away from the store) and while she's out with one, the rest can shop in peace.
It sounds like she's a lonely lady and the store has become her social club - she hangs out there and stalks anyone she knows who drops by.
Could you change the time you go to the store?? :) J/k I would say----Wow, great talking to you _______, (look at your watch) say, I am sorry I don't want to be rude, but I am late! I have to go now--have a great day! As you are saying this, you are making your exit....its truthful and direct and not gonna hurt any feelings.
M
I'm no good at it either. If I REALLY have to, I will say, "I am so sorry! I would love to keep chatting, but I am running late and have to go."
Gah!! You live in the same town as my mother... are you talking about my mother??? Just kidding... only it really could be her.
I just say... "It's been so nice running into you, Sharon. I wish I had time to chat more, but I have to rush today. Take care, see you again soon!"
Good luck!
heehee! Sorry I know how frustrating that can be and I have been there and usually I just get out of it by excuses. Oh my I have to go I have an appointment to get to, or I'm so sorry I enjoyed our chat but my husband is at home with my babies and I told him I would only be 10 minutes, eventually I think she will get the hint and keep those conversations to a minimum. I feel bad because I know alot of those people are old and lonely and just want someone to talk to.....I'm gonna be one of those ladies one day-oh dear-well such is life hopefully the young person will just tell me to shutup and they have to go now-lol!
I've met two of them and they both worked at the store so I stopped shopping at that store. Lol. It really wasn't because of them though, I just found another store I like better. With people like that I've learned to cut in and say
"Oh,Iknow!WellI'vegottokeepthisfoodfresh.Haveagoodday:)" And then wheel away fast! Even if you need something from that section just double back when they move on. HTH. :)
Sorry, I'm in a hurry!! Can't be late for my appointment.
We have a lady in town, just like that. She thinks she knows everyone. My hubby and I were in the store and got caught by her. We had to spend 20 minutes in the frozen food aisle, talking about ice cream. Now, when one of us sees her, we go the other way, before she sees us. She came in the restaurant that I work in and we had customers from out of state, she pulled her chair up to her table and started talking to them as if she knew them. I know it is hard. You want to be nice, but then again you want to get away quickly. I would say, do like we do if you see her, go the other way down another aisle. Hopefully she may find someone else to talk with. Good Luck!
just tell her that you dont mean to cut things short but you have a lot to do and you need to hurry with things. then tell her how nice it was talking with her :)
I completely understand your situation and it is hard to move on and not hurt her feelings. She is probably just lonely and needs some one/any one to talk to. That does not mean it has to be you on a weekly basis. LOL You already received a lot of good suggestions here and any or all of them would be a good solution. I would just encourage you to remember that she may just be lonely. You could always set an alarm on your phone, if you know about how far into the trip you usually run into her, and while you are talking the alarm will go off. Then you can say "Ooops, that is my reminder that I only have a certain amount of time to finish in here before I have to be home for .............." Good Luck
When you spot her from afar, whip out your phone and pretend you are having a conversation. :)
Use the positive-positive-negative thing: "Oh! So glad we got to catch up and you look great! But I've already kept you long enough!"
"It's been great chatting with you, and I really hate to rush you, but I have an appointmentment/so-and-so is expecting me/I'm on a tight schedule but I'll see you next time! Have a great afternoon!"
