Awkward meetings

[soonm]

Just looking for any tips about how to handle an awkward situation.

DH and I usually walk the dog together in the morning. We occasionally bump into another lady dogwalker. When we first started stopping I noticed that she would not make eye contact with me and she would chat to DH rather than me. I put it down to the fact that when they first met I hadn't been with DH. So, I started trying to engage her directly when we stop but she keeps saying 'sorry?' like she cannot hear me. I'm softly-spoken so I've now started trying to project my voice, but she's still doing it: barely looking at me, chatting directly to DH, me standing there like a lemon. The other day she literally blanked me when I started saying something and spoke over me to my DH! It does seem to be classic behaviour of someone who might be hard of hearing, but it doesn't explain the lack of eye contact.
This is going to start becoming embarrassing because we live in a relatively small area so we will keep encountering her. Any tips about what to do?

I would keep walking!

Friendly wave and keep going.

Has DH noticed? Because you need a strategy that you agree on - no good you striding ahead if he stops and talks to her, that gets even more awkward.

I thought you meant awkward meetings between dogs!

@Squarepigeon

I thought you meant awkward meetings between dogs!

Haha. Sorry. Although that is quite awkward too as our dog is a lot larger and much more keen to make 'friends' compared to her little dog.

She’s after your bloke. Say hello and keep walking.

@giletrouge

Has DH noticed? Because you need a strategy that you agree on - no good you striding ahead if he stops and talks to her, that gets even more awkward.

I don't think he's noticed. I don't want to make a big issue of it. I wondered about taking a completely different approach and literally just stand there and remain totally silent and not engage with the dogs or anything while DH and her speak, in the hope that one of them might notice? Or would that come across as mad?

Hmm. Tricky. Assuming you and DH usually understand each other over this kind of thing, I think I'd be inclined to ask him if he has noticed.
"Do you find that woman a bit weird?" Doesn't say what the problem is but invites him to see if there's anything he's aware of.

She fancies your DH.

And I bet he has noticed, unless he's very dim.

Honestly, I would simply wait patiently until they’ve stopped chatting then move on. She ignores you when you talk so there’s not much point putting in the effort...but it’s nothing to be making a point over either. She’s irrelevant, why have any strategy for her?

I would not jump to conclusions she may have an issue and find it easier to talk to men than women.