Is it Duck and Cover or Tuck and Roll???

In college I was one of those people where you couldn't step five feet and not say hi to someone. That's what happens when you're uber involved in clubs and retail customer service skills kick into overdrive at all times. I just couldn't seem to turn off the "Hi, How are you statements" when I saw someone I vaguely knew.

Nowadays I steer clear of nearly everyone from my past. Last week I was at dinner and I saw one of my old residents walk in with her parents. I did not want to deal with small talk like "OMG it's been forever!" or the classic "So...What are you up to?" So I avoided eye contact at all cost, attempted to sit in a way where she wouldn't see me, and stared at my menu like I was meticulously reading the King James bible.

When I first moved back home I'd see people I went to elementary school or high school and I'd just look at them blankly. There's always that first look of "Don't I know you..." and I just stare right back and just walk away. Lots of people are under the impression that you must be the first to say hello. Well lots of people aren't worth it, so I walk on by and go along with my business.

I really hate that feeling of walking into a mall, just knowing someone you know will see you there, but that quickly goes away when you just ignore everyone anyhow.