Have you been in this situation? You’re in between conversations at a networking event and you see a solitary figure standing waiting for someone to talk to them. Like the good Samaritan you are, you walk over and start chatting, only to find them a thundering bore whose idea of a good conversation is a detailed description of their dog’s recent operation. Or a guy in a pinstripe suit trying to sell you financial services. Or someone raving about how amazing their first day in China is. You get the picture.

You really need to get out of the conversation. But how can you do it without looking like you’re running away? Here are six techniques that’ll get you out of the conversation and save your sanity in no time flat.

“I NEED TO CHECK IN WITH A CLIENT OVER THERE”

Just gesture vaguely to a large crowd of people on the other side of the room and move on.

“I SKIPPED LUNCH TODAY, SO I REALLY NEED TO GO ORDER SOME FOOD”

Only works at events where there’s food, and there’s always the possibility the other person’ll follow you. Use with caution.

INTRODUCE THEM TO SOMEONE ELSE

Not the kindest option, but unless the other person is completely horrible they should have some redeeming features. Remember to mention something about each party in the introduction and make your excuses when they’re into the conversation.

“WOULD YOU LIKE ANOTHER DRINK? I’M JUST GOING TO HEAD TO THE BAR”

While there’s the off-chance that they’ll accept and you’ll have to head back to pass them their drink, you can still claim that you bumped into someone at the bar and you have to get back to them. To be on the safe side, ask them if they want another drink when they’re nowhere near finished — it’s polite and they probably won’t request one anyway.

SET THE ALARM ON YOUR PHONE

This one works if you already know you’ve got to talk to boring people and have time to prepare. Just set the alarm to go off after a certain amount of conversation and act like you’re answering a phone call. It looks a lot better than picking up your non-ringing phone and claiming someone’s calling.

I REALLY NEED THE RESTROOM

Not the most elegant way to exit a conversation, but useful as a last resort. Depending on how oblivious the other person is, you might need to employ a bit of acting skill too. You can blame it on the food at the event or something in the drinks.

Of course, unless you never want to see the other person again, it’s good form to say “great meeting you, just in case I don’t bump into you on the way back” instead of immediately walking (or running) off.

So now that you can escape the conversations from hell, you can spend more time connecting with interesting people and doing more business. Just beware — now that you know these tactics, watch out if people start using them on you!