You nod, with a slight smile, and keep walking.
Obviously, you make eye contact.

I did it with one specific person that I felt ashamed of having wronged as a teen.

I honestly don't recognize people I don't see that often when they are wearing masks.

I do this all the time. I am an introvert and sometimes making small talk exhausts me.

I do this and it’s never been a problem.

Anonymous wrote:Um yes I do this.

I went to high school in this area, so it's not unusual for me to run into someone I know from 20+ years ago. I just don't always feel like chatting! Or it's someone I kinda know, but not really, and I just don't want to do the whole "heeeey! how ARE you?!" bullshit. So I run. I try not to walk past them though....

Ha, you and me both.

Lived in the area my entire life, now in my late 40's. I pretend not to see people often, mainly because I don't want to engage in a meaningless small talk. I have enough of these in my life already, bumping into parents at soccer games, the pool, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I do it, but sometimes I actually cannot make the connection and I don't even realize who it is until the person comes up to me. Masks make this worse.

This. Faceblind to a nearly clinical degree.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I always say hi. It costs me nothing and may improve the other person’s day. Or it may ruin it, if they hated me. Win-win in my book.

+1

You are my people.

Same. Though I have probably given some people the cut direct, because I'm absolutely terrible with faces and names. Masks make it 10x worse. Sorry, anyone I did this to!

I did it to Brad Pitt. He was filming a movie in my building and I was walking out by door he was blocking it. I brushed by and excuse me you are blocking the door.

Anonymous wrote:No, I always say hi. It costs me nothing and may improve the other person’s day. Or it may ruin it, if they hated me. Win-win in my book.

I am personally an avoider but I think this is hilarious.

I hate when people do this or when they pretend not to know you.

Anonymous wrote:No, I always say hi. It costs me nothing and may improve the other person’s day. Or it may ruin it, if they hated me. Win-win in my book.

+1

You are my people.

I did this to my hairstylist. My hair looked like crap that day in a sloppy pony tail. He called me out the next time I saw him and I told him why. Probably stupid, but I was embarrassed at the time.

Yes, I do it, but sometimes I actually cannot make the connection and I don't even realize who it is until the person comes up to me. Masks make this worse.

I don't engage if the person is just moving near me in passing - ie, if I have to go over and stop them from what they are doing or slow down my car or take other actions to catch up with them, I don't do it (unless I really want to talk to the person).

If someone is passing by me directly and I know them from more than one interaction and I recognize them, then I acknowledge them.