When it comes to running into past acquaintances, you never know how it will turn out. If you knew them at one point in time, maybe even became Facebook friends, but then never spoke again, chances are it will be awkward. While the courteous thing to do would be to walk right up to them and say hello, many of us opt instead for the classic text-and-walk-straight-ahead technique.
As Facebook lets us remain “in contact” with many people we otherwise would not, when faced with a non-Internet encounter, what are we supposed to do? There is the option of actually talking to them, but this usually consists of a rather short and forced conversation. The obvious “how are you?” and “how’s school going?” questions are asked, followed by an awkward pause. Each of you then says you have to be going and continues on in your respective directions. Painful? Yes. Harmful? Not so much.
The other option is to pretend you don’t see this person. While risky, there is high pay-off when executed properly. The best way for this to work is if you notice the person well enough in advance and immediately pursue your plan of action. Some people may choose to simply cross the street. However, if the acquaintance in question sees you do this, you have failed. Another option is to wear sunglasses or pretend text-message. This technique lets you remain on the same stretch of sidewalk while completely avoiding eye contact. Sunglasses act as a natural barrier, so you can both look forward and keep an eye out at the same time. The texting technique on the other hand, in our technologically addicted age, is both polite and believable. This person does not know you are any different from the hoards of others glued to their iPhones and Blackberries. What’s more, if they decide to say hello to you, all you have to do is act surprised and put your phone away. It’s as simple as that.
One thing to remember, however is that once eye-contact is made, the jig is up. Even if it’s just for a split second, you must say hello. It can be as easy as just smiling and saying hi as you each walk past, or as awkward as forcing a conversation in the middle of a busy street. Where conversation is absolutely necessary however, is when the both of you are confined to one space. This can happen anywhere, from riding the same bus to being in the same class. In this situation the only option is to acknowledge each other and have a pleasant conversation. Unless you constantly text or look out the bus window, contact is inevitable. In a classroom, this is even more true. Sure, one of you could switch classes due to sheer awkwardness, but realistically you two will be in this room for three months, so you might as well buck up and establish friendly relations.
What is important to remember is that everyone does this. When avoidance techniques are successfully executed, no one gets hurt. You may feel bad ignoring someone, but chances are they’re doing the exact same thing to you. As long as neither of you realizes the other is snubbing you, everyone is in the clear. And while everyone knows what it feels like to see someone blatantly ignoring you, chances are you’d have done the same thing. Who knows, maybe the inventor of the cell phone just really wanted to avoid someone.
