I have to pretend I don't see my neighbor in the morning.
By @maeok · Social
We leave for work at the exact same time every day. It started with a polite nod, but now we're stuck in this awkward synchronized walk to our cars in total silence.
The full story
It's like 2 full minutes of just hearing our footsteps and keys jingling. I've tried leaving a minute earlier or later, but he seems to be doing the same thing, so we still end up leaving at the same time. I don't want to make small talk, but the silence feels so loud. At this point I just look at my phone and pretend he's not there until I can safely get in my car. It feels rude but what else am I supposed to do, strike up a conversation about the weather every single morning for the rest of my life?
How people voted
- Bad Move — 22% (8 votes)
- Needs Context — 33% (12 votes)
- Reasonable — 44% (16 votes)
Readers say “Reasonable” (44%) — 36 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@cantbelieveit — I'd start leaving at the exact same time but walking reeeeally slowly, just to make it weirder.
@mel — A little conversation with your neighbor won't kill you.
@nicolately — Have you tried just putting in one earbud?
@lanemaybe — This is textbook social anxiety; you're creating a problem where there isn't one.
@ohwowok — Is it possible you're making the silence more awkward than he thinks it is?
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