9 Ways To Handle Running Into People You Don’t Want To See These Holidays

For many of us, Christmas time is about going home and visiting loved ones. Yet it also means awkward encounters with people you’d rather not see. Like, ever again.

Maybe it’s your ex, that b that made your life hell in high school, or even just an old colleague from your days working at the $2 shop. Whoever it is, it’s always good to feel slightly prepared when it comes to these surprise encounters.

Here are some foolproof tips for handling any awkward situations you may encounter this summer break:

1. Say “Holy shit, hi! I didn’t recognise you for a second there!”

If avoiding them didn’t work, this line always will. It’s not a diss, but it’s not a compliment. It’s just a subtle way of letting them know you have definitely not been thinking about them and their presence has caught you by surprise.

2. Pretend your phone is ringing and take an urgent call just as they come over to say hello

Try using sentences that make you sound extra important. “But the case shouldn’t be ready yet, we haven’t even gone through the right legalities or procedures!” you can bark down the phone. Are you a lawyer? No. Do they know that? Probably, but who cares.

3. Or pretend you just got a text from a new bae

This is great especially if you run into an ex. “Omg, sorry!” you can breezily say. “I just went on a couple of dates last week with this guy Hunter, and he wants to take me out on his yacht again.”

4. Just simply ask “So what have you been up to?”

It’s such a simple question and it’s polite, but it also shows you have no idea what the fuck is going on with their life because you’re busy and important.

5. Fake a sneezing attack

Especially if you’re heading back to a country hometown, chances are you probably haven’t stopped sneezing since you arrived.

6. Hide behind a bin

You probably did it at some point in high school anyway so it won’t even be that weird.

7. Politely blank them

There are people who will do this straight back to you, and they are the real MVPs. You’re both not worried about polite, awkward chit-chat, and they just let their gaze slide straight past you at the pub and you can do the same.

8. Spill a drink on them

Just save this one for the person you really can’t forgive for dousing your bag in yoghurt in high school.

9. Or be a bigger person and take a genuine interest in what they’re doing now

We all change and grow up. Give them the benefit of the doubt, they may surprise you.