If you see someone you knew in the past that you have no interest in having contact with, is it ok to make believe you dont see them and look straight ahead as you pass them on the street?
I am asking because i have been doing that
2007-03-19 18:15:42 · 8 answers · asked by tbo 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I saw one person i knew look at me but i looked away making believe i had no idea who he was, he didnt say anything.
One guy who was a stalker type came up to me and i told him hes crazy for thinking im the person he thinks i am, i said in not "lisa", sorry, he looked confused..lol
2007-03-19 18:23:45 · update #1
I do the same thing at school. I just ignore them and go on my way to class or to whereever I'm going. I just stare straight ahead and pretend that I never knew them at all. That goes the same at the train station where I know some people are my parents' regular customers. I just don't want to strike up any conversation with them.
It's okay to ignore people you know, don't worry.
2007-03-21 04:47:03 · answer #1 · answered by emaciated asian chick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the UK, unless someone has done something really awful to you, it is considered polite to nod at them if you don't want their society anymore. You may continue and there is no obligation to stop (although if they start talking to you give polite answers and get out of the conversation quickly). Most English people will understand what a nod means.
Note that a nod with a big smile is different. Probably means they are busy or don't feel they know you enough to stop you.
2007-03-20 08:58:17 · answer #2 · answered by KateScot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so (after all you can't be held accountable for not seeing someone). However, what would you do if the person you're 'not seeing' comes rushing over to you saying "Hey there! Haven't seen you in a while!". If you then ignored them you would be rude (unless they had done something awful to you in the past and you really were afraid for your safety around them)
2007-03-20 01:20:54 · answer #3 · answered by Jon S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL I do the SAME THING!!! LOL But if they say hi, I make small talk and excuse myself as quickly and politely can! Some people have told me to "be the bigger person" and go say hi...but I see no need for that...do you? Would it really make me the proverbial "bigger person" after all? They may be thinking the same thing. I wouldn't want to make them uncomfortable after all....lol
2007-03-20 01:26:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course. It is your choice to acknowledge them. I wouldn't go out of your way to be rude, you can simply nod or wave your hand but that does not mean a conversation needs to happen. There are people I have run into that I wish I hadn't. But you learn! Good luck!
2007-03-20 01:21:43 · answer #5 · answered by cariebear197 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be rude to do that if they acknowledge you. If they don't greet you, they may assume that you didn't see them. If they do greet you, it's only civil to nod or say hello as you keep going :-) Civility doesn't demand that you stop and chat.
2007-03-20 01:20:34 · answer #6 · answered by Annie D 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It may be discourteous but you are free to do as you will.
I Cr 13;8a
2007-03-20 01:59:39 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes it is, yes.
2007-03-20 01:53:34 · answer #8 · answered by chrisj 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋