Why do I get "Blanked" when I walk my son to school? Is it a man thing? Is it a woman thing? Am I paranoid?

Question

Every morning I walk my 8 yr old son to school. If I see someone I know I say good morning and every day I get minimal ,if any, response. If I go to school meetings I sit alone. If I pick my son up from school I stand alone.
I guess it never really bothered me, in fact in a strange way it was almost like being back at school, the popular ones surrounded by their buddies, the wannabes desperately scanning the playground for a face they know, and the loners.
The reason it now bothers me is that yesterday I had a companion who was taking her sons to school at the same time she got buttonholed by an acquaintance who I know vaguely so I said Good Morning! I was completely ignored, I repeated myself and she walked off! My companion was obviously embarrased by her friends behaviour ,but, said nothing.
It struck me then, that this wasn't the first time, spouses of work colleagues, parents of children my son plays with, neighbours
All say nothing,or look uncomfortable talking to me.
Help.

Answer 1

Sounds as if it's the area you're living in. I've lived in places where people look straight through you even if you greet them. I think it's some peoples' lot to always be the ones who are trying to forge and upkeep friendships; the ones who have to fight to make themselves heard or liked, however amiable and lovely they might be.

Even people who call themselves christians can be very unfriendly in my experience - the very first morning I went to church (very nervously) in one of the places I've lived, I slipped into a pew at the back and was promptly told, 'you can't sit there, that's Florence's seat' - talk about cliquey... I've never felt so unwelcome in my life!

They're just bl**dy rude - they don't matter!

I should just be thankful that you're not accepted by them, because that would make you an unfriendly, unlikeable, curtain-twitching snob too!

Do you dress differently? Speak differently? Are you obviously the odd one out for any reason? Not that they should make you feel forced to change even if there is. Perhaps your son's relationships at school are having an impact on the way other parents see you?

Anyway, I doubt very much it's anything you're doing, don't worry. :)

Answer 2

Being the sort of person I am, I would have to find out the reason why these people are behaving the way they are towards me. It would niggle away for some time but I would need to have some answers to put my mind at rest. The next time you are blanked by someone, ask the person "have I done or said something to upset you, if so could you possibly tell me as I would like to put things right". Be brave and grit your teeth to receive the answer which might not be what you want to hear but may just ease your mind hopefully.

Answer 3

Ask your son which are his friends and invite them round for a party - no occaison, maybe a summer party or a football one - have games and organise it properly so that they have something to do - not just play on the computer or watch tv. Maybe take them to the park?
Before you do it ask your sons teacher for a class list & ask them who his friends are, this might give you some insight into the other parents behaviour as if your son finds it difficult to make friends the other parents simply might not know who you are! It sounds daft but people are strange like that.
Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Is your son a nightmare at school?? At our school the other mothers never speak to the parents of the devil children. If it's everyone, with no exceptions, you've got to wonder if you've done something wrong - could you ask the friend you walked with the other day to enlighten you in a frank and honest way, even if it will hurt your feelings?? Or, do you smell???!!

Answer 5

HI, it reminds me of myself...i experience similar things, being blanked, people not wantin gto speak to me and me feeling insignificant... I spoke to my partner about this and he thinks that it may be the way I AM with people, i sometimes can come accross as being standoffish but i am just shy and nervous sometimes.. in your case you are sayin hello first so I'm not sure. Do you not smile often? that can have such a negative effect. I can totally see where you are coming from. Because you are noticing these behaviours it makes you more nervous and slightly paranoid, been there and still doing that!! XX

Answer 6

ask those friends around who are bound to know something. if they are not forthcoming then thay may be part of the problem. Remember 1st impressions count ALOT and that if someone created an impression of you that was not favourable and shared it with others then they have multiplied the problem look back and see if there is anything u could have said that may not have gone down to well. Remember you could just be a victim of circumstance and everyone could already have their cliques and are jus lookin for someone to look down on- if u dont want this then fight them back with civility, charm and kindness and make them the ones to be percieved negativley

Answer 7

Get to know how your son is doing in school does he have friends;what is school like etc. If everything sound ok to you I say ignore the attitude of the other parents. People can be very rude at times do not take it to heart :).

Answer 8

It is not a mistake. Women are not the same and different women have different choices in life. If some women are destined to challenge men in every way then let them be. There is no such thing as a man's profession, any one regardless of gender has the potential to compete almost anywhere in life.

Answer 9

You're going to have to ask someone, i reckon!
There are so many reasons this could be happening, and if you can only guess, you're really in the dark.
You'll need to ask someone who will give you an honest answer though. Try either someone you know well, or someone who you know to be either a plain speaker or a bad liar! You may be able to embarrass the bad liar into telling you.

Answer 10

How close were you standing? Could it be that you, and no offense here, stink? Do you have a 3rd eye or something? Is there something really strange about your appearence that might be doing this? If it's happening very often, I find it hard to believe that you've run into that many people who are willing to be rude to you, without provocation.