Another way is to start a new topic that is more concise. For example, 'That's a great story, but I just remembered something really important I wanted to share with you. It'll only take a minute.' By doing this, you shift the focus away from the long - drawn - out story.
You could try saying something like, 'I'm really interested, but could we come back to this a bit later?' That's a gentle way to interrupt.
One way is to practice mindfulness. Try to focus on the present moment and the person's words without getting impatient. Just be in the moment and listen.
Well, you might try something like, 'I'm having a hard time staying engaged with this story. Maybe we could talk about something that's a bit more exciting for both of us?' That way, you're being kind but still getting your point across.
One way is to show a lack of enthusiasm. Don't give them much of a reaction when they start the story. Just say 'Hmm' in a rather flat tone. They might get the hint that you're not into it and stop. Also, you can excuse yourself briefly. Say 'I need to quickly check on something' and when you come back, start a new topic.
You can say something like 'I really enjoyed that story the first time, but let's talk about something new now.'
You can directly tell them that such stories are inappropriate and make you uncomfortable. Be firm in your stance.
Another drawback is that they can be difficult to remember. With so many details spread out over a long narrative, it becomes challenging for the audience to keep track of all the elements. This is especially true for oral storytelling, where the listener doesn't have the luxury of going back to review. As a result, the key messages or themes of the long drawn out story might get lost.
You can be direct and say something like 'I'm a bit short on time right now, can we focus on something more important?'.
Epic. An epic often involves a long and complex narrative with many characters, events, and sub - stories. It can span generations and cover a vast amount of time and space. For example, 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey' are classic epics that tell long - drawn - out stories of heroes, their adventures, and the cultures they belong to.
Another way is to redirect the conversation. For instance, when he starts a long story, you can say 'Dad, that's really interesting, but I wanted to talk to you about my new job instead.' This way, you can shift the focus away from his long - story - telling.