Is it normal to get nervous when approaching someone on the sidewalk?

94% Normal
23 Comments

When I'm walking by myself down a side street that is not too busy and there is someone walking toward me, I sometimes start to feel nervous and awkward. I worry about where to look and when/if to make eye contact, smile, or say hello.

I know that it is silly, but I often wonder if the other person is thinking the same.

Even perhaps stranger is that I feel more nervous when this occurs with someone around my own age (I'm 22) rather than much older or much younger.

Voting Results
94% Normal
Based on 139 votes (130 yes)
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Comments ( 23 )
  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    Just be nice. It's just another fellow human being. If you're shy just look down.

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  • Who_Fan4Life
    12 years ago

    Is that why when I walk down the street, I sometimes get that nervous/awkward face that they make because everyone's so damn nervous?!

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    • trytoforgetthis
      12 years ago

      @who_fan4life

      Yes. So stop making them nervous O_O

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  • trytoforgetthis
    12 years ago

    I smile, then keep walking.

    No awkwardness. No nothing.

    If you smile back, you make my day.

    If not, i don't know you, so i don't give a fuck.

    Just don't turn around and follow me. I don't know you like that.

    Hahaha =D

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  • Chillpill
    12 years ago

    it's funny, I was just wondering about this the other day. I don't get nervous but wonder if and when you should make eye contact to acknowledge another human being or whether it's better not to. Weird, it's one of those things... Thank God for summer and sun glasses, no one knows where you're looking :)

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  • narwhal
    12 years ago

    I just pretend cough or yawn
    So I don't have to feel bad or awkward cause I'm not staring them down ;D
    ^
    also works well when you are walking past someone you know but don't really want to talk to :3 .....

    Gah I'm so anti-social :c

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  • mizeka
    12 years ago

    Why should I say "hi"? I can't make eye contact without greeting them? O.o

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  • SoccerStud88
    12 years ago

    i make everyone nervous thats normal man

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  • YoBanana
    12 years ago

    I tend to look down when someones passes by. Yep your normal.

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  • DisgraceGod
    12 years ago

    I make eye contact then nod my head.

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  • howaminotmyself
    12 years ago

    Usually I'm the one who will force eye contact, smile, and say "hello." I don't care if you feel awkward. I don't really think about it. You'd be surprised at how easy it is to pull someone out of a funk with a friendly gesture. Goddamnit, I'm in a good mood, let me share it with you:)

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    • dappled
      12 years ago

      Aww, what happened to the picture of the tiny elf feet?

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      • howaminotmyself
        12 years ago

        Elves sometimes hide, and now the eye is watching you.

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    • Real
      12 years ago

      Yeah buddy!!! We need more of this:)

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  • AngAnders112
    12 years ago

    I only feel like this if the person walking towards me is a white female between the ages of seven and nine.

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  • MegaDerp
    12 years ago

    Is it cause the persons black? You racist

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    • [Old Memory]
      12 years ago

      lmao

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  • I_steal_free_bread
    12 years ago

    I hate when Im walking and a random lady or guy smiles at me and says "hows it going?" as if im their friend. Im like who the fuck are you?

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    • [Old Memory]
      12 years ago

      They were just being nice- what's your problem?

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      • I_steal_free_bread
        12 years ago

        The problem is it makes me feel akward. Plus im not their "buddy"

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        • NickiLighthouse
          12 years ago

          I agree. These people usually have shady motives anyway, in my experience!

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    Everyone has a partner, regardless of the experience.

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  • asura
    12 years ago

    Do you get even more nervous and clutch your pearls if your walking towards a black person more?

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