Why overcomplicate? Smile; "excuse me"; walk away.

That reminds me of.... Thing i want to talk about
Oh theres Jenny i need to go say hi
Excuse me while i get a drink, grab a plate... You dint know where the ladies room is do you
Our mutual friend mentioned you do this interesting thing, tell me about it

Depending who it is, like a very old person, I might humor them for a while, I mean, I dont mind being bored a bit if it cheers them up

Excuse me. Works everywhere, except boot camp.

I think "Excuse me," when a person's been talking a long time, is far too abrupt.

Well, I'm not proud of this, but one time when I was at a party that I didn't want to attend, but did so out of courtesy to the hostess, there were a bunch of us listening to this one guy prattle on and on about how he was able to hide all his assets from his then-wife, and this poor hapless weenie just happened to be walking by, so I grabbed him by his arm and said "here, hold my place for me, will ya?" and left.

That said, I try not to get myself into those kinds of predicaments. If I can vacate before the story gets too long-winded, I just smile and say "excuse me". Seems to be the best way, without having to spill something on myself. But I have seen someone do that too!

When someone has been talking a long time, without finding out if you are interested in what they are saying, "Excuse me", spoken abruptly, is perfect.

I agree that simple "excuse me" isn't rude, but in a social setting, can make for awkwardness. If I think it won't be taken well, I feign having to use the restroom very badly. I make a huge production out of it if I feel like the person is going to take it personally by saying that I have been taking anti-biotics and they make me use the restroom a lot. Most people, if they are somewhat normal, will actually sympathize with you if they think you've recently been ill. And then, I take my time in the restroom and pretend that I got pulled into another conversation on my way. By the time I make it back to that side of the room, they are either done with thier story and moved on, or have completely forgotten about me. No one's ever called me out so far.

There's an app for that. No, seriously, there's an app that will make your phone buzz like you're getting a phone call. Excuse me, this is my agent, and I need to take this.

Excuse me works, too. If you feel it is too abrupt, as a woman you can say excuse me, I have to powder my nose. In my case, I would say I have to pee like a race horse.

The three that generally work for me:
Going to get another drink.
Going out to smoke.
Going to the rest room.

I know how to chug a beer and since I'm now in the minority as a smoker, those two will generally work.

If the person is going on and on and ignoring my body language, then he's being rude and I feel much less guilty about cutting out. Also, I will just interrupt and talk over someone who is monologuing and not allowing space in the conversation.

I will tie it up quickly: "That does sound really difficult. How frustrating." Or "You must be so proud of your son. Congratulations." Then I will--without pausing--make an excuse like one of those Amy mentioned (restroom, check work e-mail, get some food) and say, "See you in a bit?" while slowly moving away.

No one ever seems to hold me to "See you in a bit?"

If I think it won't be taken well, I feign having to use the restroom very badly.

And all this time, everybody thought you just liked to dance!

I'm not much of a socializer, myself, but I know I've managed to bore somebody at a gathering when he or she rather suddenly spots somebody more interesting and leaves.

"Not to be rude, but ..."

*Oh, sorry. I have a tendency to prattle on. What's up with you?*

That's usually the exchange people have had with me and I've used it on others when they drone on.

Sometimes talking is done out of nervousness. Not interrupting/interacting is sending the signal that you're okay with the pointless yattering.

I agree, saying "excuse me" and walking away can be awkward. Although it is tempting when someone's prattling on and on without paying attention to your body language and signals of boredom.

If I know the person is a good egg, but just socially clueless (and don't want to risk hurting their feelings), what's worked for me is waiting for the right moment to insert myself into the conversation by asking a question. For example: "OK I didn't catch that. What city did you say that happened in?"

Say they respond, "Paw Paw, Illinois."

And I'll say, "Oh! I used to drive through there all the time! They have all those windmills. I used to always eat at such-and-such a restaurant when I drove through. They have the best coffee!"

Now I've got control of the conversation and can look over their shoulder and say, "Oh, man, I just realized so-and-so got here and I haven't said hi. Excuse me."

It takes some quick thinking, but it's less abrupt. You transition from taking interest in THEIR story by asking a question, to taking control of the conversation. And because it's now 'your' conversation it's less awkward to walk away.

It is slightly abrupt, but they are being slightly rude by monopolizing your time and attention. (Full disclosure, it takes a real me-me-me to get me to this state. Unfortunately, I know one I cannot avoid and he is so obtuse he will not pick up on any subtlety.) If you care more about their feelings, the proverbial white lie is OK.

This is a situation in which it's useful to have a baby. I used her just this past weekend when my friend's boyfriend just wouldn't stop talking.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I think she's wet. Excuse me."

just start doing the potty dance...
"sorry, I REALLY have to go!"

usually this has the effect not only of getting you out, but also in some cases making the talker introspective enough to wonder if the conversation wasn't going well...

I was at a party and I was talking to a drunk old hag who went into detail about how she was raped. At a party....in detail.....

I didn't know how to get away....

Ask her if she was as drunk then as now

A woman of my mother's generation had me cornered in her home and bored me so thoroughly that I blacked out. Every time I regained consciousness she was still talking.