Suppose you're walking down a long hallway, and there's somebody approaching you. They are much too far away to greet or talk to, but definitely in your line of sight and there is no way for you to not acknowledge them. Once they are within an acceptable distance you can smile, wave, or greet them. But what about before then? Most people seem to glance around, very intentionally and obviously avoiding eye contact until the last minute.

What would you do? What's the "normal" thing to do? (The only things I have in mind are surprise sex the other person or clap my hands once, spin on my heels 540 degrees and moon walk the length of the hallway until she/he has passed. Then walk normally as I am a civilized human being, but I don't think that's an appropriate thing to do in an office building )? But seriously what's the normal thing to do?

12/2/2008 1:04:03 AM

make eye contact, head nod. what's so difficult about that?

12/2/2008 1:06:05 AM

make eye contact, head nod. what's so difficult about that?

12/2/2008 1:08:09 AM

if you have to think about it, you're doing it wrong

12/2/2008 1:09:40 AM

if you have to think about it, you're doing it wrong

12/2/2008 1:16:25 AM

I've actually wondered this when I worked at my job. They were REALLY long hallways. Usually I just avoided eye contact by staring ahead until an acceptable distance, although I would sometimes look at the person. The other person would most often look down at the ground.

12/2/2008 1:20:41 AM

Usually when I'm in the hallways at work I have papers or something in my hand. So I'm usually looking at those rather than what's ahead of me

12/2/2008 1:27:41 AM

You play eye contact chicken. First one to look away loses. You will find that you will win most of the time. Another interesting thing to do is walk behind a relatively attractive female and look at the eyes of guys who walk by her.

12/2/2008 1:30:23 AM

^I crack up seeing guys turn their heads really quick to look at a girl's ass once they get by her. I'll walk slower to class just to stay behind a girl with a nice lookin' butt.

12/2/2008 1:37:22 AM

it's funnier in the workplace, especially at a tech company where average chicks see their ranking rise to the top.

Another thing: chicks tend to look away quickly. So, you look at their eyes to open up the opportunity to look at anything else.

[Edited on December 2, 2008 at 1:48 AM. Reason : .]

12/2/2008 1:41:45 AM

you might consider actually using your mouth to create sound, and saying hello to the person. the longer hallway allows for actual talking. scary, i know, but you should try it some time.

12/2/2008 1:56:19 AM

Quote :

"So, you look at their eyes to open up the opportunity to look at anything else. "

Interesting.

12/2/2008 1:59:23 AM

you could always yell like tarzan

12/2/2008 2:03:01 AM

I wonder how some of you made it this far in life.

12/2/2008 2:10:01 AM

hide

12/2/2008 7:09:40 AM

make eye contact, head nod. what's so difficult about that?
if you have to think about it, you're doing it wrong
I wonder how some of you made it this far in life.

make eye contact, head nod. what's so difficult about that?
if you have to think about it, you're doing it wrong
I wonder how some of you made it this far in life.

make eye contact, head nod. what's so difficult about that?
if you have to think about it, you're doing it wrong
I wonder how some of you made it this far in life.

make eye contact, head nod. what's so difficult about that?
if you have to think about it, you're doing it wrong
I wonder how some of you made it this far in life.

make eye contact, head nod. what's so difficult about that?
if you have to think about it, you're doing it wrong
I wonder how some of you made it this far in life.

make eye contact, head nod. what's so difficult about that?
if you have to think about it, you're doing it wrong
I wonder how some of you made it this far in life.

make eye contact, head nod. what's so difficult about that?
if you have to think about it, you're doing it wrong
I wonder how some of you made it this far in life.

12/2/2008 7:20:21 AM

is his really a problem you have? are you socially awkward in all other situations as well?

12/2/2008 8:27:53 AM

eh I think you guys are oversimplifying this. I have the same problem and I don't consider myself socially awkward and am quite outgoing, talkative, like to meet new people etc. But when it comes to long hallways (esp when there are no windows) and you are walking towards a person for like 15-20 seconds before you pass and its not someone you know, it can be awkward. Head nodding from 30 yds away is kind of silly.

Sure once they are within easy speaking range i'll nod/smile and say "good morning" or "how ya doing?" or something to that effect. I have no problem with that. But the long walk before that where you have nowhere to look but the floor, wall, ceiling, or the person can be awkward, especially if its a girl you dont want them to think you are checking them out at work or something.

In summary, I think what the OP is talking about is not your normal walking down a cubicle aisle and acknowledging someone.

12/2/2008 8:32:55 AM

Hillsborough, what do you normally do in this situation that makes it feel like it isn't normal... besides daydreaming about suprise sexing or moonwalking?

12/2/2008 8:58:14 AM

if this were part of a standup routine, it's worth a laugh


other than that,

Quote :

"if you have to think about it, you're doing it wrong"

12/2/2008 9:13:54 AM

Quote :

" Smath74 All American 74747 Posts"

you missed your epic palindrome post Smath74!

12/2/2008 9:15:16 AM