What should you do if a conversation begins to feel uncomfortable?

When a conversation begins to feel uncomfortable, politely excusing yourself is a respectful and effective choice. This approach allows you to remove yourself from an awkward situation without escalating tension or causing embarrassment to either party. By excusing yourself, you also maintain your composure and dignity, demonstrating good social etiquette and self-awareness.

This choice balances assertiveness and politeness, helping to avoid potential conflict or discomfort that could arise from abruptly changing the subject or confronting the person. Staying silent and enduring the situation could lead to increased anxiety and discomfort, while changing the subject abruptly might feel jarring and could draw more attention to the discomfort rather than alleviating it. Thus, excusing yourself is the most graceful and socially acceptable way to handle the situation.