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I am quickly approaching that dreaded moment - I have only seconds to decide my next course of action.
As she nears me - I think I recognize her from one of my English classes sophomore year, don't I?
I am racked with indecision - do I smile, say hi or maybe decide it's the perfect time to pull out my cell phone and send a text? I become terribly interested with a bird hopping around on the Green, and the girl and I pass each other without a word. Another awkward moment avoided - at least for the time being.
We have all been there. You know what I mean - that uncomfortable instant when you have to decide how to react to a person passing within feet of you on the path.
As I continued on my way to class in Memorial Hall, I began to think of the number of different techniques one can use to deal with this situation. I have used them all while tromping around campus for the past four years.
I realized I am presented with this particular situation in so many different forms on a daily basis. The passerby-encounter is still served with a side of anxiety. In my case, this emotion comes in a slightly larger portion because, while I need glasses to see objects in the distance clearly, I refuse to wear them outside because my eyes are too sensitive to the sun. Thus, I have shorter time in which to identify the person walking toward me.
On more than one occasion, I have heightened the tension by accidentally staring at a stranger while waiting for the moment when they would enter into my sight.
It is this angst that causes me to take many precautions to ensure I will not be caught in such a position. I walk with friends whenever possible so I have someone to talk to and I never leave my house without darkly tinted sunglasses - if a passerby can't see my eyes, I don't have to worry about looking.
However, there are inevitably those days on which no one is to be found and my glasses are left on my shelf at home. Here is where the real hassle begins.
I have tried almost every possible option to not look at the person walking by me, including completely ignoring them and talking on my phone. I have tried to act interested in something going on farther up the path, and once or twice I have decided to check my bag for something I may have forgotten. To avoid what I suspected may have been a particularly awkward encounter, I have even gone so far as to cross the street.
Not only is this type of behavior completely unnecessary, but it also takes quite a bit of energy and effort. There must be an easier way.
On my walk home after class, I curiously observed how other students handled these uncomfortable seconds. Perhaps they knew something I didn't.
I was so engaged in my thoughts by the time I entered my apartment building I didn't even notice a boy about to pass me on the stairs until he wrenched me back to reality with a friendly, "Hey there." I was so surprised I automatically greeted him in response, as a smile effortlessly appeared on my face.
I went about the rest of my day as usual l - without thinking much more about my not-so-awkward encounter in the stairway. That is, not until a few days later.
I had only just begun my morning stroll to class when I noticed a girl walking toward me. This was my chance; the moment of truth was quickly approaching and only one question had plastered itself across my mind's eye - how should I proceed?
This time, I knew how I would react. However, as I watched the girl take a left-hand turn into a house, I was once more left with my own thoughts.
Yes, there are a number of different options to choose from when deciding how to behave to someone walking by. I have decided, however, that I would rather not bog myself done with such useless, anxiety-causing thoughts when there seems to be such an uncomplicated solution.
The next time I find myself face-to-face with this potentially sticky situation, I won't look for the nearest alternate route, nor will I become engrossed in some imaginary spot three feet in front of my face.
Instead, I will smile. At the very least, it will brighten someone's day.
Jessica Lapointe is the editorial editor for The Review. Her viewpoints do not necessarily represent those of the Review staff. Please send comments to jessical@udel.edu
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