If the person is shorter than you, then just stare right over their head. If the person’s taller than you, make sure not to look up. If the person is the exact same height as you and standing nearby, try blurring your vision so you have a “dead” look in your eyes if you do lock eyes by accident.
If you see that person approaching from a distance, leave enough space between you so you don’t brush up against that person. Don’t go out of your way to walk away from that person. If you cross the street or duck into a hallway, that will make it look like you care too much. But if you see the person from a far distance and you’re sure he doesn’t see you, then you really should just try walking in the other direction.
Don’t smile, either. Keep a straight face, or even a frown, planted on your face to look like you don’t want to talk to anyone. You can also go for the creepy blank look on your face - that will scare anyone off from trying to talk to you. If you have longer hair, bangs, or a hat, try to keep part of your face covered to discourage the person from trying to make eye contact.
If you’re with friends, turn toward them and gesture wildly, looking so animated that you couldn’t possibly stop to talk to the person you’re ignoring - let alone to look at them. If you’re alone, look engrossed in a book, magazine, or a textbook. You can even quietly read the words to yourself, looking like you’re intent on memorizing them. Keep your hands full. Whether you’re walking or sitting, hold your phone, textbooks, or even an unwieldy potted plant. This will discourage the person from trying to talk to you.
Change your phone number so the person can’t call or text you. Block that person’s number from your phone so you can’t receive messages from them. Set an alarm on your phone to ring when you know you’re near that person, so you can pick it up and pretend to be talking to someone.
If you want to be really annoying, you can even close your eyes and sing along to the music, giving the person you’re ignoring almost no chance to talk to you.
Block that person from any of your social networks. Make sure he has no way of reaching out to you online. Change your email address and other usernames if you have to. That person should have no way of contacting you online.
If you always see that person when you’re walking no matter where you go, start driving places. If that person seems to have changed their walking routine to fit to yours, keep changing yours until they give up.
You can also learn the days when that person goes out. If he only goes to their favorite restaurant on weekends, and you really want to go there, you can just go during the week. If that person only goes to a certain bar during happy hour, just hang out there later at night.
By actively going to places where that person will never go, you’re not only ignoring them, but seeking out newer, cooler hangouts that don’t involve that person. If you want to ignore someone take up self-care activities. [5] X Expert Source Sabrina Grover, LMSWLicensed Master Social Worker Expert Interview. 3 December 2021. Focus your energy on yourself instead of the person who has hurt you. [6] X Expert Source Sabrina Grover, LMSWLicensed Master Social Worker Expert Interview. 3 December 2021. Invest in new hobbies, new friends, new people, and new activities. [7] X Expert Source Sabrina Grover, LMSWLicensed Master Social Worker Expert Interview. 3 December 2021.
If you normally sit next to that person in class, switch your seat. If you have assigned seats, talk to your teacher and ask if you can change. If you see that person in the cafeteria, see if you can sit in a new place. If you run into that person in the hallways, just look straight ahead, like you’re so focused on getting to your next class that you didn’t even notice. If that person asks you a question in class, just look away and pretend that it didn’t happen.
Avoid the break room or kitchen when that person is there. Learn when the person goes in the kitchen to get their lunch or for a refill of coffee, and make sure you keep a different eating and caffeine-drinking schedule. If you sit near that person at work, stay focused on your computer, and keep a stack of papers at your desk so you can always look really engrossed by them instead of looking up at the person. Don’t jeopardize your professional life. If you really have to talk to that person to get some work done, do it. The person will be even more annoyed if you talk to them at work and then ignore him completely after work.
Stay busy with your friends. Talk with your friends and laugh it up like you’re having the most hilarious conversation in the history of the world. Dance. If the person comes near you and there’s music playing, grab a friend to the dance floor and start rocking out. If the person still approaches you, close your eyes like you’re really feeling the music. If that person is standing in your circle, be extra engaged with everyone else around you. When that person talks, scratch your ear or check your phone - act like nothing is happening.
