People Who Switch On And Off Their Attention / myLot

Preston, England

July 15, 2019 11:41am CST

I have met quite a few people who seem able to switch off attention, manners and even eye-contact at will. One minute they seem pleased to see me, chat with me, etc, and at other times they totally snub me, ignore me if I say hello and even glide past me without making any eye contact. I thought one couple I know only did this to me until others noted their tendency to glide but as if their friends were ghosts. Sadly their sons seem to have either inherited the power or they have been taught it too. While I sometimes end up so miles away in my own thoughts that I wouldn't notice Godzilla walk by, I can never intentionally snub, ignore or fail to greet my friends. Sadly, many people can. Arthur Chappell

11 people like this

10 responses

LindaOH

@LindaOHio (156276)

• United States

15 Jul 19

I tend to have tunnel vision if I'm thinking about something while I'm maneuvering...It's not intentional.

2 people like this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (45002)

• Preston, England

15 Jul 19

@LindaOHio I'm sure many people do it without trying but others do it on purpose for sure

2 people like this

John Roberts

@JohnRoberts (109857)

• Los Angeles, California

15 Jul 19

It's a skill!

2 people like this

Anna

@LadyDuck (458233)

• Switzerland

15 Jul 19

This is not something I do, it may happen that I do not notice someone, but as soon as I do, I smile and say hello.

2 people like this

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111948)

• United States

15 Jul 19

same here would not happen here.But then again do not have too many

2 people like this

Keith Henthorne

@Scrapper88 (5957)

• United States

15 Jul 19

I do this every now and then. Somebody can be talking to me and I do not hear them.

2 people like this

Arunima Singh

@arunima25 (85328)

• Bangalore, India

15 Jul 19

Even if I have seen the person for first time, I do give a social smile. It always confuses my husband when I do so in public places like park and malls. He tries to remember where he might have met that person as he thinks that for such a warm acknowledgement I must be knowing the person very well.

2 people like this

Fleur

@Fleura (29128)

• United Kingdom

15 Jul 19

Funny I was just talking about someone I know yesterday who is rather like this. It's my daughter's music teacher, she's been having lessons for about 6 years. The same teacher takes classes at the primary school so I sometimes see her when walking to/from school. The strange thing is that she often just walks past without a word, or if I say hello she will sort of mumble a reply. And yet when I called in yesterday to collect a book that Big One had accidentally left behind, she was really chatty, invited me in and we talked for more than half an hour! I can't figure out if she's just preoccupied, has poor eyesight, is just shy (?) or not in the mood to talk or is even in pain when out and about (she has some back problems and walks with a stick), and when we do have a chat she is ever so pleasant and friendly, it's something of a mystery!

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (325818)

• Rockingham, Australia

16 Jul 19

That's a real shame. You could hardly call them good friends if they did that regularly and without reason.

Susan

@HazySue (39264)

• Gouverneur, New York

15 Jul 19

I withdraw into my head and forget people, surroundings and such. It happens when an idea sneaks into my brain and shuts everything down.

1 person likes this

Hanni Harel

@Hannihar (129482)

• Israel

16 Jul 19

@arthurchappell People in my building seem to say hello under their breath not really meaning it. I just look at them and if I do not like them I do not say hi to them. They are rude and nasty people that treat me horribly.

1 person likes this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (45002)

• Preston, England

16 Jul 19

I have met people like that too

1 person likes this

Hanni Harel

@Hannihar (129482)

• Israel

16 Jul 19

@arthurchappell There are a lot like that.

1 person likes this