Does anyone else find it awkward when you bump into people you know?

[YouMustBeTheWeasleys]

In town? Or in the supermarket?

I find it doesn’t seem to matter who it is either - it could be a close friend or my own mother and I still find we are making awkward stilted conversation even though we usually get on well!

DH says it’s because you aren’t expecting to see them and you both have a task to complete that you are acutely aware has been interrupted.

YABU - it’s not awkward
YANBU - it’s awkward

I didn’t used to mind this but then a few years ago I bumped into a chap I used to work with in Asda. I started a conversation and he ended up telling me his wife had recently died then broke down in tears. Sobbing by the cauliflowers! Me hugging him. Poor fella, it was awful and he was really embarrassed (not that he needed to be of course). So now I try to avoid bumping into old acquaintances in the veg aisle!

It depends who it is for me. good friend, not awkward, other folk i know then it can be.

It depends first off if i place them and then remember all relevant details about them secondly if we are both in a relaxed state, it is rare for me all this works

I find it awkward even if we are close friends! I literally bumped into a couple me and DH are good friends with - I am doing an activity with her next week, we socialise often as couples and in group settings. They have met my parents (!!) and I still find making chit chat awkward!

Come on, you’re on Mn where friends are ‘drama’, a ring at your doorbell is a horrifying threat, and a wedding invitation an act of war. Seeing your neighbour in the frozen food aisle is a grade a trauma.

I don't mind if I can remember who they are! Sometimes people will come up to say hi and I'll say hi back but am frantically trying to remember where I know them from and anything about them to make conversation.

If you find it awkward to run into people you know when you're not expecting it, never ever live in a small town or a rural area...

I went shopping last Saturday. Queuing on the market I saw five ...six ...seven if you include the 8 year old... people I know. I spoke to all of them - had a long conversation with one.

The last time I popped into the Co-op I saw someone I'm on a committee with. I was out with the dogs today about 4 miles from home, and as I put them back in the car I heard, 'Long time no see!' from a fellow dog-walker I last saw back in the winter some time.

It can be a bit alarming when someone you chat to randomly in a queue or when out for a walk works out who you are - X's mum! Y's neighbour! - but it happens often enough to be normal.

I struggle placing people out of context, so chances are I probably haven't even noticed them; but if I do then yes it's so awkward 😳

I work in admin in a GP surgery and a colleague who is on holiday at the other end of the country keeps bumping into two patients up there. He recognises them but can’t recall their names, but they know him 😂
I almost walked past my own sister in Asda because I wasn’t expecting to see her in there.
When I come home from work I occasionally sit in the car pretending to look for something or to be taking a call until my neighbours have gone inside. My excuse is I’ve just done three or four hours solid of answering the phone and I’m all talked out.

I hate it! I'm actually pretty good at spotting people first and managing to avoid them!

Come on, you’re on Mn where friends are ‘drama’, a ring at your doorbell is a horrifying threat, and a wedding invitation an act of war. Seeing your neighbour in the frozen food aisle is a grade a trauma.

This is mumsnet, so it's not surprising that most posters think YANBU.

However, I think YABU. It costs nothing to be polite and just say hello and walk on by. There is no no requirement to stop and chat. This may be because we are rural and when out walking it is common practice to nod hello to anyone you might meet, whether you know them or not.

If you find it awkward to run into people you know when you're not expecting it, never ever live in a small town or a rural area...

I agree. I often bump into people I know (and like and am happy to stop and chat to them) in our local Tesco.

To deliberately duck out of the way is rather childish IMO.

I have met a neighbour in the supermarket. Chatting no bother. She tells me her much much loved pet had to be pts. I loved that cat too, cue both of us crying! Not a great look.

same I usually walk the other way

Not at all, I like it. Why would it be awkward?

Same here! I really dread going into our local shop as I know I'll more than likely see someone I know and it will feel so awkward. I feel rude if I don't say hello but then I'm worried of look like an idiot if I speak so can't win!

When I was younger I did, now I just trill hello hello as I rush breezily past. I think channeling a bit of a busy matron vibe is helpful in a lot of these situations

Im ok with a hello but keep walking don't be hanging around for a chat because it feels awkward and forced

I thought this was just me

I really hate it, especially if in a supermarket when you finish the conversation and say ‘See you later’ but then you’re still both in the shop and have to avoid seeing them again/passing by them as you’ve already said bye. In fact, I think I’ve just left by buying one thing just to get out 😂
I also avoid going out of the house if a neighbour is going to their car, I wait until they’ve driven off. Worst is if my next door neighbour is doing something in their front garden 😩
I also find bumping into friends when i’m with my mum/parents v embarrassing and feel like i’ve gone red afterwards…so weird

Only when I realise half through a breezy chat with someone who obviously has no memory of ever meeting me before!

Yes I find it painfully awkward. I see some people just saying hi to people they know in Tesco or wherever then walking on but I feel like I’m being rude if I do that so I always have to stop and it’s always the same people you meet in there!

I do avoid 99% of people if I can and the absolute worst is if you’ve spoken to someone because then you’re avoiding them the whole way round. I hate it.

I feel the same. I always feel the need to explain why I'm at the supermarket / town centre / pub etc. Every time. I don't know why I do it and I come away saying to myself, she must think I'm a total idiot...

I find this weird. A quick ‘hi’ or acknowledgment with a nod shouldn’t be such a big deal. I remember bumping into a colleague I was sitting all week next to one weekend and pretended he didn’t know/see me. That was way more weird than if he had just nodded and kept on walking.

Unless it is someone that I'd dread seeing anywhere.
I have no problem ending a conversation politely after 4 minutes maximum.

I hope you told her you were only in Aldi because you were hiding out from paparazzi and would she mind nipping outside to see if you’d managed to give them the slip

It can be sometimes, that point where you end the chit chat and get away. Or it can be really lovely to see someone you’ve not seen in ages. I usually say we really must catch up soon, let me know when you’re free and that’s a natural end. I do often follow up with a message too to say lovely to see you, let me know when you’re free. Unless of course just an acquaintance.