People who speak one day and not the next!

Sometimes it can be as simple as eyesight. I literally couldn't recognise my own mother from across the street. I often have people tell me that they waved to me, or whatever, and I ignored them, but sometimes I not only can't recognise them, but I might be so far away I can't even see anyone there at all!

But then my sight is so bad, I can't drive anymore. And I'm only in my 40s!

Yes one or two, clearly moody people, I feel sorry for them

Bipolar? I'm not bipolar but I do know some days I just don't feel so much like chatting as others. I wouldn't cut someone dead if they came up and initiated conversation but I'd be less likely to initiate it myself those days, and if it was someone I knew I'd be trapped chatting to for several minutes on a day I didn't feel like it then yes I might see if I could get away with pretending I hadn't seen them. It's not that you want to hurt anyone's feelings.

Think they have to be friendly when they are working it’s part of the job.

I’m often guilty of this because I suffer from prosopagnosia, which is face blindness. I recognise people I know well, but according to DH I walk pass neighbours and casual acquaintances all the time. I’m a very friendly person, and I’m mortified to think some people would think I’m being rude or standoffish. It’s got me into a lot of bother in the past. If you think I’m barmy, google it. Some people have it so severely they don’t recognise their own children! Tg I only have it mildly.

As you get older your vision can change and until I had my conteract done I didn't see peoples faces clearly until they were quite close.

But yes there are people who only speak when they want to usually when they want to tell you all about themselves or ask for something.

I’m the sort of person who if I’m worried or upset about something I would find it hard not to blurt it all out to the first person I come across! Which isn’t always appropriate...so sometimes I just like to wave and say hello and not stop for a full on chat all the time, am not too good with small talk either. I am pretty sure that some people find it weird! It would be nice if they didn’t though...

They must have been MissAdventure. Out of their comfort zone? We were all very happy when the status quo was reinstated and I spoke first.

Do you think they were uncomfortable about whether to say hello, Pamelaj?
How interesting.

I have a neighbour who does this to me. It's not a matter of her not recognising a face, as we've both been at social functions where she has been bright and chatty yet at other times, she's looked at me as though I was something unpleasant stuck to the bottom of her shoe.

I was quite upset about it at first, as I thought I had done something wrong, but then I heard that she has been...shall we say...combative with other people so I decided it was her problem, not mine. Nowadays, I just maintain a polite manner and she can do as she pleases.

I've got 2 neighbour that do this ironically they used to be married to each other.

I used to walk to work.
I always said good morning to everyone I passed. Familiar faces after a while.
One day I decided to let them say hello first. They didn’t know how to cope so after a few days I put them out of their misery and stared greeting them first again. What a relief.

Sometimes I say of course I do, then hope against hope that enough clues come out in the conversation for the puzzle to be solved. It doesn't always work.

Oh yes maggie those words ...have heard them so many times and what do you say then? Sorry but no I don’t? Sounds so rude.

My dad didn't recognise his own aunts and uncles if he met them out and about. Fortunately, I haven't noticed my DC having any problem. My low point was smiling at a little boy who stopped in front of me in a shop in town. It was only when my son appeared behind him that I realised it was my grandson - my brain takes a while to click in! I'm not usually quite that bad, but I do often hear the immortal words "You don't know who I am, do you?", and feel bad.

Maggiemaybe It runs in our family as well. DD was dreading starting a new job for fear that there would be too many people in the office and it would take her months to sort them all out. Fortunately she started with 4 people and it has gradually expanded. I tell people not to think I am rude if I fail to recognise them out of context and just speak to me.

When I go on my daily walk, I say 'hello' to everyone I meet, saves problems.

maggie i too have this face blindness (propagnosia sp?) and have found myself in more than a few awkward situations over the years. My daughter has it too.

DH finds it amusing to bid a cheery 'good morning' to all he meets as he walks along- some return the greeting, many look away and mumble- perhaps they think he is dotty -he is but that's not the point.

I often fail to recognise people, especially if I am not expecting to see them. I recently did an online test for face blindness, and from that it seems I do have it - it’s not uncommon. DH wasn’t a bit surprised, though I was. I thought I was just forgetful, or unobservant. So yes, that could easily be me, but no offence is intended. I do tend to smile vaguely at everyone I pass, just in case!

I suppose I’m always doubtful that people will want to speak to me, so unless they give some sort of sign that they want tohave anything to do with me I will assume that they don’t.

Its never occurred to me that they might feel I was being off. Ive always thought I was not inflicting myself on them!

Oh yes, I hadn't thought of that..

I don't always recognise people that I have spoken to before, especially if I see them in a different context. It can be very embarrassing.

I think perhaps some people are less socially adept than others. At socials and parties, I find it quite difficult to extricate myself from conversations. I start wondering whether the other person is getting bored and would like to move on and yet I don't want to appear that I am bored by them. Other people seem to manage this quite naturally without causing offence.

I expect some other people feel similarly awkward about various social situations - perhaps divulging too much information and then feeling that they have made fools of themselves, or else they are so unconfident that they avoid such situations completely.

I have worked with women who behave like that. It is irritating but I have never let it bother me.

You never know what worries people carry with them although I do agree they could at least say "hello" even if they want to then pass you and progress along the road.

One of our neighbours down the alley at the back of us, is a Tesco delivery driver. The odd couple of times he`s delivered my shopping he`s been very friendly and chatty, also if he walks past when I`m outside he`ll say hello. But on the occasional times that his wife/partner is with him, they neither of them even acknowledge that I`m there. It can`t be because he doesn`t want her jealous of him talking to me, I`m a doddery 75, and look it, she`s about 40!

Its strange how it can sting just a little bit.
The embarrassment - maybe it stirs up that awful feeling of not being liked?