i am. clueless
at least when it comes to that awkward moment when i see someone from social media on the sidewalk walking in my direction (i feel like Alessia Cara when she says ‘oh god, why am i here’). most of the time, i have a pretty good understanding of how i should behave around others. this is one exception. so you’re going to have to help me out here. why is it that when i see someone i know (casually) or mutually follow on social media, i don’t say ‘hi’ (even if i’m 100% sure it’s the person i think it is and despite the fact that i have a snap streak with them)!? i know i’m not alone in this, because typically the other person also pretends they suddenly have a call or found something interesting above my head. so, let’s figure this out together. WHY do we do this? is it because of shyness? or because we don’t want to make friends? maybe it’s because we don’t know how to make small talk? if you responded yes to any of those questions (because it’s a reason you don’t make eye contact) why isn’t now the time to work on it?
most of us feel INVINCIBLE on the internet. (like some of you are really out here asking for nudes, but won’t make eye contact if the person is standing right in front of you!) we are going to grow up and not know how to talk to our managers, coworkers, loved ones. is social media ruining our social skills? if we can’t change this, will we end up lonely or alone, only knowing others’ lives from what we see on social media? (this is a problem, in and of itself, because social media shows ideal life, not the crap that the world throws at us from time to time).
obviously, i really struggle with this issue. it would probably help to know that if i did approach another person that it would be cool and i wouldn’t be judged or laughed at (as silly as that sounds). so please help me, and others like me, by commenting what you would do if someone randomly approached you, even if you have only met them on social media. maybe your comments will encourage your social media ‘friends’ to step out of their comfort zones and say ‘hello’
