Carolyn Hax: Your friends won’t stop talking. How do you tell them to get to the point?

Two friends dominate every phone conversation talking about their days and it's driving you crazy. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for this newsletter Read online Advice to help you tackle life's problems.     (Nick Galifianakis for The Post) Your friends won't stop talking. How do you tell them to get to the point? Dear Carolyn: Please help me deal with two friends who talk incessantly. Both feel the need to dominate conversations by sharing every single detail of their days. They rarely ask about me. I can't spew out details of my life quickly — it takes me some time to warm up and share. During that time, they interrupt and change the topic back to their lives. A typical phone call takes an hour, during which I hear details of the dog's eating activities and conversation with waiters at restaurants I don't frequent. I am bored to death! We are all retired, so they know I can answer the phone when they call; they know my volunteer schedule and don't phone during those hours. They know my cellphone is nearby. I cannot ghost them. And I can't come up with any good excuses to get off the phone! If I say I "have to go," I am asked, "Oh, what are you doing?" Please tell me how I can politely tell them to get to the point. — Bored to Tears Read Carolyn's Response     ADVERTISEMENT   Want more? Carolyn's been writing her advice column for two decades. Explore the archives below. Husband's silent treatment has ripple effect through family Read more »   You always hurt the one you're in an unhealthy relationship with Read more »   Parents unsure how to cope with daughter off at college Read more »     Ask for advice Carolyn chats with readers every Friday afternoon. Need advice? Join Carolyn Hax's weekly chat (June 4 | 12 p.m. ET) Perspective ●  Read more »     We think you'll like this newsletter Check out Recipes for seasonal and delicious recipes from Post food editors and experts, every Saturday. Sign up »

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