Deals Unplugged Don't know when to cut your losses and leave the negotiating table? Look for these telltale signs.

There are obvious reasons to break off negotiations: Forexample, the other side's last best offer doesn't cut it,you find a better alternative, or you uncover something seriouslyunsavory about your opponent. Businesspeople favor and understandthese sorts of objective analyses.

There are also subtler, more subjective reasons to pull theplug. If you're the type of negotiator who takes pride inmaking the unworkable work, take special heed of the followingpitfalls to avoid:

Your opponent is just toodifficult. You learn a lot about how smart, decent andaggressive someone is by how he or she negotiates. If you don'tlike what you see and hear when you're bargaining, chances areit'll only get worse once you're in business together.After all, if negotiation is the courtship, then closing is themarriage. You don't have to love, like or even respect everyoneyou deal with-especially if it's a one-shot deal. But if youfind this person an insufferable, time-wasting nuisance at thebargaining table, remember: It's only a preview of comingattractions.