I find myself thinking that same exact thing, when letting a guest go on and on and on "I will NEVER get this time back". And they will not remember that we had this conversation a year from now. Oh, they'll remember that they had a good time, but they won't remember the details of the conversations we had. I know I won't!
I have had this thought for so long, I think I'm actually going to do something about it. I need an app on my phone that will ring upon demand. Some button on the outside of my phone that I can discreetly push while it's in my pocket, and 30 seconds later, it will ring. Sure, I could just act like it's on vibrate, and pick it up while speaking to someone and answer it and quietly excuse myself. But I'd rather that it actually ring, so the guest would stop talking for just one second while I say "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry...duty calls. Will you excuse me for a moment?" Then slip into my office and have my imaginary conversation (which usually involves telling the dog how lucky she is that she doesn't have to talk to people) while they are hopefully moving along and getting on with their day.
I have about a five minute limit with people and their life history. "Ain't nobody got time for that!".
"they'll remember that they had a good time,"
Yes Banana! That's why we listen. Really one of the most important things we can do for anyone. anytime. anywhere. In a world with so much bombardment, we have a hunger to be listened to, to just be heard. Innkeepers help fill that void. It's one of the things that make me happy.
(confession: I used to be a crisis line counselor, then have held a variety of public service positions, and worked in a high-pressure broadcast environment. Practice does help, and a sympathetic DH is a godsend, though, giggle, he does leave most of the public contact to me)
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