NationStates Jolt Archive


Would you talk to someone you broke up with?

Cabra West
07-03-2006, 13:19
Imagine the following situation:

You dated a person for 2 weeks, meeting him/her twice. You decided to cancel the 3rd date, because you realised from his comments how shallow and deceited he really is. He reacts very negatvie to that, telling you that you can't do that, and that before long you'll come crawling back anyway. You shrug it off, because you had already realised that he was a jerk.

So, two or three months later, just when you're about to have Lunch in the canteen, you see him standing there. Obviously now working for the same company as you do.

Would you go over and say hello?
Would you ignore him?
What would you do?
Fass
07-03-2006, 13:24
I'd probably say hi and be courteous. After all, I would be working with this person and ignoring him or being hostile would not work for very long at all. Be a grown up is my answer.
Cabra West
07-03-2006, 13:26
I'd probably say hi and be courteous. After all, I would be working with this person and ignoring him or being hostile would not work for very long at all. Be a grown up is my answer.

There are about 700 people working here, and he's obviously not even in the same building, let alone the same depertment. If I had to work with him, I'd talk to him of course. But like this, I don't really see the point...
Compulsive Depression
07-03-2006, 13:27
Same as with any person I've taken a dislike to... Polite, icy disdain. It's fun!

But it'd possibly be even *more* fun to walk up behind him and dunk his head in his soup. Dare you!
Laerod
07-03-2006, 13:27
I don't think I'd try to treat them any better or worse than a casual acquaintance...
Fass
07-03-2006, 13:30
There are about 700 people working here, and he's obviously not even in the same building, let alone the same depertment. If I had to work with him, I'd talk to him of course. But like this, I don't really see the point...

You don't have to walk up to him, but if he's noticed you noticing him, then ignoring him is just pathetic. Acknowledge his existence with a nod or a smile or something, being the adult you are.
Cabra West
07-03-2006, 13:31
You don't have to walk up to him, but if he's noticed you noticing him, then ignoring him is just pathetic. Acknowledge his existence with a nod or a smile or something, being the adult you are.

As far as I can tell, he's ignoring me as well.
Jello Biafra
07-03-2006, 13:31
You don't have to walk over to him, but you could nod and continue to walk in whichever direction you were walking in.
Fass
07-03-2006, 13:34
As far as I can tell, he's ignoring me as well.

Well, then you both missed the train to mature interaction, it seems.
Cabra West
07-03-2006, 13:36
Well, then you both missed the train to mature interaction, it seems.

"Mature interaction" being synonym for interacting with someone you don't want to interact with and don't need to interact with, just so you would appear mature to everybody else?
Fass
07-03-2006, 13:49
"Mature interaction" being synonym for interacting with someone you don't want to interact with and don't need to interact with, just so you would appear mature to everybody else?

No, that you would be mature, period. You both failed, it seems. Had you acted like a grown up and given that little nod or smile, you wouldn't have been perturbed enough by this event to start a thread dwelling on it.
Perkeleenmaa
07-03-2006, 13:50
"Mature interaction" being synonym for interacting with someone you don't want to interact with and don't need to interact with, just so you would appear mature to everybody else?
The fact that this discussion is here already tells us that you haven't got over it. "Hi" doesn't really mean "I like you". It means "I know you".
The Nazz
07-03-2006, 13:51
I don't see any problem with ignoring him unless he pushes the situation. Lots of people go out, don't hit it off, and never speak again. Why should this be any different unless he makes it different?

And let me politely disagree with those on this thread who are making it sound as though ignoring him is somehow immature. Immature would have been causing an unnecessary scene. There's no rule of etiquette that states you have to go out of your way to be falsely friendly to someone you dislike, especially if the other party is willing to do the same.
Willamena
07-03-2006, 14:33
Wellbeing is the best revenge.
Angry Fruit Salad
07-03-2006, 14:44
Smile, nod, and forget he exists.
Angry Fruit Salad
07-03-2006, 14:45
I don't see any problem with ignoring him unless he pushes the situation. Lots of people go out, don't hit it off, and never speak again. Why should this be any different unless he makes it different?

And let me politely disagree with those on this thread who are making it sound as though ignoring him is somehow immature. Immature would have been causing an unnecessary scene. There's no rule of etiquette that states you have to go out of your way to be falsely friendly to someone you dislike, especially if the other party is willing to do the same.


Making it obvious that you're ignoring him is immature. Just not bothering to pay attention to him is quite the opposite.
Cabra West
07-03-2006, 14:47
Making it obvious that you're ignoring him is immature. Just not bothering to pay attention to him is quite the opposite.

Which is basically what I'm doing.
If it's immature, fair enough.
Intangelon
07-03-2006, 14:49
Imagine the following situation:

You dated a person for 2 weeks, meeting him/her twice. You decided to cancel the 3rd date, because you realised from his comments how shallow and deceited he really is. He reacts very negatvie to that, telling you that you can't do that, and that before long you'll come crawling back anyway. You shrug it off, because you had already realised that he was a jerk.

So, two or three months later, just when you're about to have Lunch in the canteen, you see him standing there. Obviously now working for the same company as you do.

Would you go over and say hello?
Would you ignore him?
What would you do?

I'm not usually an advocate of "playing it cool", largely because I suck at it. However, I don't think you need to worry about how to approach this guy. You don't owe him anything, and, judging solely on your description, he's a goober anyway. Why give a goober the satisfaction (even though he can't know) of having that kind of effect on you? If you walk by and he says something, surely you reply, but why go out of your way? YOU broke it off with HIM, remember? He's just another guy...isn't he?