OFTEN HEARD SAYING: "Just a second, dear — I'm not finished making my point. As I was saying..."

THE OFFENSE: Dominates the conversation. Doesn't let anyone get a word in edgewise.

YOUR COURSE OF ACTION: This person finds himself fascinating, never mind what others think. "Seat him near those who will be least affected by his constant drivel — children, for example," says author Caroline Tiger. Steer the conversation away from topics he typically waxes poetic about and toward ones that somebody else is expert in.