DEAR MISS MANNERS: Who is responsible for indicating that they want to end a telephone conversation with the other party? I am told by the party involved that I am not listening to the "hints" being given. I am not a mind reader.
GENTLE READER: Then Miss Manners suggests listening for such remarks as:
"It was good to talk to you."
"We must get together one of these days."
"Oops, I'd better find out what that noise was."
And of course, that classic standby, "I think I hear my mother calling me to dinner."