Is it rude of me to ignore someone when they try and start a conversation with me?

Answer 1

Yes it is, the other person is attempting to be sociable, and ignoring them isn't very nice.

Answer 2

If its a stranger, no. In fact, if you're, by any chance, young don't talk to any strangers who try to start up a conversation with you (unless, of course, you're in some place where socializing and meeting people is what's going on).

In general, though, yes. Its rude. You can give someone a brief and polite answer and then either get back to what you were doing or else excuse yourself. It shows a lack of respect to just not answer someone, and it makes you look like you have some social development retardation or one sort or another.

Will anybody die or melt into a puddle if you don't answer? No. Still, though, its rude and doesn't make you look good or them feel good. Why treat people in a rude way if you can achieve your aim of not having a conversation with a brief response, which could even be simply, "I'll have to talk later. I have to....."

Answer 3

That all depends. Do you know them? are you alone? then yes. Are they trying to make a pass at you on public transportation or something? Well then, possibly still yes, but it's more understandable to ignore them then. If I don't know someone, and they begin a conversation with me that is clearly going to end in them giving me their phone number- I will be as rude as i have to to get rid of them. If their opener is "Got kids?" then all bets are off and I'll be REALLY rude. But at least I know that's what I'm doing.

There are polite ways to do this, though. You can try to keep the conversation brief. Respond to their questions as concisely as you can, and then say "I'm sorry, but I really have to get back to what I was doing."

Answer 4

Well if I don't want to start a conversation I usually tell the person in question I don't want to talk. You don't have to talk to someone if you don't want to do you? If they still keep on talking, ignoring them usually does the trick. Maybe it's rude in a way, but I also think it's rude if someone keeps yapping on when I've told them I don't want to talk. That's invading my personal space and I don't like that.

Answer 5

Pretty much. You could at least be kind and say I'm sorry could you talk with me later I've got alot on my mind at the moment or I'm going somewhere and I need to think of how to get there.

You know talking to someone might make you a life long friend. It doesn't have to be intense but you should be kind. Wouldn't you want someone to be kind to you if you tried to have a conversation with them and they weren't really interested?

Answer 6

If it were reversed how would you feel? You could always excuse yourself, and acknowledge this persons presence, to ignore someone this is down right rude!!!! Have a wonderful weekend.

Answer 7

Yes, it is rude, if they try to start a conversation with you, politely excuse yourself, they will get the drift.

Answer 8

if they asked - you can ignore. you don't have to accept anyone. it is your choice to accept or not.
but after that - you can't ignore in the middle of the conversation. and if it happened - due to connection problems - explain it later. but it is rude to ignore without a reason in the middle of the conversation.

Answer 9

That is the highest form of insult there is- is to ignore someone. Why? Because it means you're beneath notice, that you're so low that you're not worth acknowleging your existance.

When I've met people like that? I scream in their ear HELLO? and I make sure it HURTS.

Pain is a response

Answer 10

If it's a stranger at the mall or somewhere, I would say "do I know you" and if he/she says no, then just walk away. You didn't say what situation you are referring to. If it's a friend or acquaintence, then it is rude.