Sometimes when I’m walking in public and see someone I know from a distance, like a high school classmate or a coworker, I pretend to be on the phone just to avoid the small talk. I’ll even put my earbuds in and act like I’m in a conversation. I don’t know why I do this. I’m not antisocial or anything I just feel like I never know what to say and don’t want to deal with meeting people again.
The worst part was once when I faked a call and then my phone actually rang. I ended the fake call, and answered like nothing happened. I still think about that moment at night sometimes
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It sounds like you just want to avoid awkward small talk or the pressure of feeling like you need to engage in a conversation when you’re not in the mood. A lot of people do this, even if they aren’t antisocial. It’s a way of creating a bit of space for yourself. The phone mishap probably felt embarrassing, but I bet no one noticed or thought much about it! We all have moments like that, and they usually feel worse to us than they do to anyone else.
I’ll do this too – mostly via being overly interested in my weather app
Honestly I do the same thing, a lot of times I just don’t want to converse with others.
I think we all do it sometimes. But I would be sooo embarrassed if my phone started ringing 😭✌️
I do this too but with headphones and looking at my phone
Nah, I’ll just stare at my phone and act like I don’t see them. I find if you have earbuds in and they notice you see them, they’ll still make their way over and talk with you.
I do this when I’m alone in public whether I see people I know or not