A few ways to stop an unwanted conversation

header image provided by Pixabay

This thought struck me recently. I’ve dealt with a number of random messengers over the last few years. Yes I know I shouldn’t talk to strangers even via social media but at times I just want to know what they want.

I came up with a few tips that may stop a random conversation. Some of these may seem silly but they might throw off the random messengers train of thought.

Yes i know better

Yes I know better and as I said above I shouldn’t talk to strangers. But some people are so persistent i just ask what they want.

It’s more and more common

This seems to be the trend lately no matter what gender you are you’ve probably been contacted by someone who is either looking for love, wanting to sell you something, wants you to join an MLM (Multi-level marketing) group or my favorite the Sugar Daddy messages.

Most are the usual please join or I’m in need of love in my life or whatever the hokey line they throw out.

I’ve had many chats over the last few years. Lately however it’s been profiles looking for love. How or why they think Instagram (or other social media platforms) are dating sites is beyond me.

Common messages I’ve seen

I’ve seen everything from the long winded story of someone being a widower and lonely to someone who just wants to be “friends” hoping it will turn into more.

I’ve also had people ask me for money.

The best one to date was someone tried to play on my feelings by stating their daughter needed to go to the hospital. They were asking for gift cards so their daughter could sell them. I guess a $50 gift card would get you to the hospital pretty fast.

A few ways to throw off conversations

Earlier this month I had a random message on Instagram. Well being that I wasn’t busy I replied. Well, it was a profile claiming to be a man. I like to call them Social Media Romeo’s. Said sender went on a long-winded tangent about looking for love. I replied when I felt it was needed. But here are a few ways to throw off the conversations that are fun.

When the sender asks where you are from

I like to tell them I’m from earth. Or I give them a vague reply of Norther Hemisphere. I never give them my exact location.

To me why on earth (forgive the pun) would they need to know where I am.

I even had one person ask me if I was at work. I played along saying yes and that i wasn’t allowed to text.

Other excuses you can give are :

I’m here where are you?

I’m at (location of your choice) what about you?

when they ask your relationship status

I’ve noticed some profiles jump to this question with in the first few minutes of a chat. I’ve had married friends tell me they also have these types of messages even when they clearly post they are married in their bio. Some even share photos of their spouses or partners.

I once told one profile “Yeah I’m married but I don’t share posts of my spouse.”

I even scared one profile stating “I share my phone my husband might see these messages.” That chat got pretty funny because the messenger started to get nervous and was forgetting what they were trying to type.

I also like to play coy adding “i might be.” that one always gets an annoyed reply.

Other excuses you can use are:

What’s that?

Yeah, I have a (fill in a partner) followed by they are reading this too. He/She/They are getting a kick out of this by the way.

You can also answer the question with a question.

Other ways to throw off a chat

The last chat I had the person kept referring to love. So I played along and finally started to just ask random things.

If your like me and listen to music while you are working ask questions about that.

I asked “Do you like the band The Cure?” I never had a reply back.

You can also just ask anything that comes to mind.

Some examples:

Do you like cats or dogs?

Do you like movies? if so what’s your favorite?

What bands do you like?

If they claim to be from your country or even your state ask questions about that. Ask things that may not always be common knowledge or that might be hard to find using Google.

My personal favorite way to stop a chat is….

My personal favorite way to stop a chat is to call the person out on their own con or scam. I love to watch the chat turn from polite to annoyed. They usually try to turn the tables and claim I am the scammer. Which I always find funny.

I’ve only had one person admit they were trying to scam people. Everyone else usually stops chatting quickly or with in a few days once they see they aren’t getting what they want.

a few tips

If the random messenger wants you to join Whats App or Google Hangout I’d suggest you not do it.

Whats App or Hangout may just be another way for them to gain access to your phone or computer. I’m not saying it’s a ploy for a hack but you never know.

I’d also like to say if you are getting messages at random hour such as the middle of the night or 3 am if you live in the western US it’s safe to say the person is overseas.

Many times the random messengers will say they are in X country. I’ve had people claim to be in the Middle East, Asia and even the US but I still wonder.

Another thing If the person has photos that are all too perfect such as stock photos or model type photos you know they are probably a scam.

here’s an example of what i mean.

image source by Pixabay

Another thing I’ve noticed is if the photos have been uploaded to the account in blocks such as with in days of each other that’s usually a red flag.

Also, look for commonly used photos as well. Some people try to use stock photos that are commonly used such as landscapes.

I hope these tips are helpful the next time your stuck in an unwanted conversation.