Anonymous wrote:I interrupt. It isn't intentional--my entire family growing up were interrupters. I have spent a lifetime trying to change this habit, but I am not always successful.

This is absurd. Of course, you know when you are interrupting, when someone else is talking how can you not know y ou are interrupting? It is tude and intentional.

Sometimes when I see someone and I'm wondering if it is someone I know and look for a while without any kind of acknowledgment (because I'm still not sure). And if the other person also does the same thing, I figure I don't know you and will pass right by without saying anything. I sometimes later think it really was that person. But I guess we were both being rude?

If I'm in an elevator with the arrow figures for door open/close (instead of the words), and you are approaching wanting to get on the elevator, there is a 50/50 chance I'll hit the right button to keep the doors open. It's truly unintentional, I just can't figure out those pictures for the life of me. Sometimes if I have my wits about me I'll just use a foot to keep the door open.

I interrupt. It isn't intentional--my entire family growing up were interrupters. I have spent a lifetime trying to change this habit, but I am not always successful.

Anonymous wrote:I know your question raised "unintentional", but I will answer as if it were "intentional": People who pretend they didn't hear you, or look right through you, or make a face (just because they don't want to answer a question) - very southern passive aggressive. People pretending they are the only ones in a public place (loud and obnoxious!). I'm fine with people pretending they didn't see you, somehow, if any distance is involved. People pretending "they didn't know" - yes, you did! - something was yours (for example, as the other thread mentioned). Another example, cutting gin line - wrong!

Don't act like I'm a total idiot (like you, if you are pulling this crap), and you will be fine.

very northern aggressive aggressive.

I know your question raised "unintentional", but I will answer as if it were "intentional": People who pretend they didn't hear you, or look right through you, or make a face (just because they don't want to answer a question) - very southern passive aggressive. People pretending they are the only ones in a public place (loud and obnoxious!). I'm fine with people pretending they didn't see you, somehow, if any distance is involved. People pretending "they didn't know" - yes, you did! - something was yours (for example, as the other thread mentioned). Another example, cutting gin line - wrong!

Don't act like I'm a total idiot (like you, if you are pulling this crap), and you will be fine.

Anonymous wrote: Then it's too late to yelp down the street after them, "Hi! I'm smiling at you in response!" or "Hi! I know you and now greet you in a socially non-awkward way!"

Literal LOL. (And now my small daughter wants to know wh'as so funny?)

Most of these things are not unintentional. They are bad habits, but they are hardly unintentional. For instance, the first poster, who just leaves a conversation rather than respond...that can hardly be unintentional. And not responding because you haven't had coffee. Again, understandable, but not unintentional.

We all have things that hold us back from feeling comfortable.

I have a laundry list of things running through my head and I like to daydream so I don't always notice my surroundings, including people.

Sometimes I'm in a daze and don't realize someone was smiling at me in recognition or saying hi to me until after I pass by them. I also have the same problem sometimes when I'm wearing my glasses instead of contact lenses, since I don't see as well with my glasses. Then it's too late to yelp down the street after them, "Hi! I'm smiling at you in response!" or "Hi! I know you and now greet you in a socially non-awkward way!"

Anonymous wrote:If you say hi to me in the morning before I have my coffee (I get it on the way to work but sometimes don't have time), my reply will be monosyllabic and there will be no smile. I'm not trying to be brusque; it's just the way it is. Sounds cliche, but it's true.

I could have written this! I actually don't become a nice and friendly person until late morning when I have plenty of coffee running through my veins.

I realized after talking to someone who looks you in the eye NON STOP that I often don't look people in the eye when we're talking. I catch myself looking away and come back to find them still looking at me. This must make me seem disinterested, but I find constant eye contact so unnerving!

I'm just really really bad with names. I remember a face forever, but I'll forget your name within 20 seconds of hearing it. So I often have to re-ask people their names and I know some people probably think that is rude.

If you say hi to me in the morning before I have my coffee (I get it on the way to work but sometimes don't have time), my reply will be monosyllabic and there will be no smile. I'm not trying to be brusque; it's just the way it is. Sounds cliche, but it's true.

I get awkward in social situations. For instance, if you ask me something and I am feeling nervous, sometimes I pretend not to hear a question and slip away from the situation quietly. I do this without thinking, it's a habit now and I always feel so bad afterwards.