Your point of exiting negative chats is a very good one. The instinct (for me, anyway) is to double down and try to fight it out, which is a waste of time for everyone involved.
A fairly big revelation for me was not to act so interested when I first enter a conversation. Two things happen when I appear interested before a word has been spoken. I look awkward, and if the conversation doesn't actually interest me I've just insulted everyone. They are insulted in the form of I apparently really wanted to talk to them and then didn't like them. Thus actual awkwardness occurs while I try and look interested in them.
It's better to enter a conversation with a degree of hesitation and then walk away if nothing pans out. It may not feel like it but they appreciate that. It can also form a bond if I like them as they might feel as though they won me over.
I second that, it is one thing to actively look to enter a conversation but one must be prepared to politely move one. Time is valuable and knowing when/how to exit is an important part of any effective strategy.
