CLEVELAND, Oh – Dear Ask Yadi: I have a friendly neighbor who means well but has absolutely no sense of when a conversation should end. What starts as a quick hello can easily turn into a 30-minute monologue. This happens when I’m heading to work, carrying groceries or clearly in a hurry.
I don’t want to be rude, and I understand that some people just enjoy chatting. At the same time, I find myself avoiding certain times of day or routes just to sidestep these interactions. I shouldn’t have to hide in my own neighborhood.
I’ve tried polite hints — checking my watch, shifting my body, saying I need to get going — but nothing seems to register. I’m torn between being kind and protecting my time…