Strategies of conversational retreat: When parting is not sweet sorrow

Abstract

This research explores strategies and tactics persons use to unilaterally retreat from conversations. Based on metagoal theory, efficiency and social appropriateness were expected to differentiate retreat strategies from each other, with strategies used in mutually negotiated endings being located in the socially appropriate and relatively efficient area of the conversational retreat strategy space. Retreat strategies were found to include verbal bids such as hints (summaries, preclosings, future continuations, and positive statements), projections (ascribing excuses to the partner for parting), excuses, and departure announcements; changing one's focus onto another subject or person; and signaling rejection, restlessness, or nonresponsiveness. As expected by metagoal theory, these strategies range in their efficiency and appropriateness, and are more diverse than (though they include) those strategies typically used in mutually desired partings.

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