Q&A for How to Avoid People You Don't Want to Talk To

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What can I do if someone is overly friendly and I want them to back off?
    Community Answer
    Ignore them and walk away. Try to politely leave the conversation if you can. You might come off as a bit rude, but it's the price you must pay for some sanity.
  • Question
    How can I ignore somebody who talks to me every time I take my earphones out?
    Community Answer
    If you are done listening to whatever you were listening to through the headphones, turn the source of the audio off, but keep the earphones in. It will then seem to others as if you are still listening.
  • Question
    How can I stop this person from sitting next to and talking to me on the bus?
    Community Answer
    Put your bookbag/backpack/handbag on the seat next to you, or sit with your back to the window with your feet on the seat next to you. You could also ask someone you like better to sit next to you. Make a plan with this person ahead of time.
  • Question
    How do I stop a man from asking me out?
    Community Answer
    It's important to avoid any topics of conversation that relate to relationships. Keep things friendly but not flirty. If he isn't getting the hint, gently explain that you're not interested.
  • Question
    What can I do to avoid talking to anyone at school?
    Community Answer
    Seclude yourself from your peers by avoiding eye contact at all times (that is key). Try to wear earbuds or do something (like homework) -- that will make you seem too busy for any type of conversation. Sit by yourself at all times. Switch schools if you hate your current school so much.
  • Question
    How do I know if someone wants to avoid me?
    Community Answer
    Try to pick up social hints. They may act disinterested when talking to you, or they might just patch you out all together, or pretend they are unable to hear the words you're saying.
  • Question
    How do I get someone to stop talking to me in class?
    Community Answer
    All you have to do is ignore him. Once he realizes that you're not talking back, he will leave you alone.
  • Question
    What do I do when I run into my old boyfriend with his new girlfriend?
    Community Answer
    Smile and act like you don't care. Be friendly and polite. If you don't feel like you're capable of doing these things, just ignore them and walk away.
  • Question
    How do I politely dismiss people at a funeral?
    Community Answer
    Funerals are a personal form of closure and remembrance of a loved one, so you can say that you're too upset to talk or want some alone time. Hopefully people will understand.
  • Question
    What if we're in the same class, and she keeps calling out my name?
    Community Answer
    Just pretend like you don't hear her. She'll eventually get embarrassed and stop calling out. You can also just tell her to be quiet. It might come off a little rude, but sometimes it's the only way to get somebody to leave you alone.
  • Question
    How can I avoid someone in my house?
    Community Answer
    If it's someone who is treating you badly, tell the person how you feel. Then, if they don't listen, try talking to other family members. If you simply don't like them, don't talk to them unless it is necessary and try to do your own thing outside the house.
  • Question
    Yes, but how do I avoid all of my 257 peers from school?
    Community Answer
    That's probably impossible unless you want to switch schools. Just do your best to keep to yourself. Avoid talking to people and don't wear anything or do anything that will draw attention.
  • Question
    How do I talk to people without talking to them face to face?
    Community Answer
    Social media will do, like Facebook Messenger. If you have their phone number you can text them with ease at any time. Just be reasonable what time to do it.
  • Question
    How do I tell my best friend to be quiet during lessons? I don't want to offend her or she won't be my friend. How can I tell her I need to concentrate?
    Community Answer
    Just tell her that you need to get your lessons done, and ask if you can talk another time. Let her know that you're having trouble getting your work completed and you need to focus. If she's a good friend, she should understand this.
  • Question
    There is a girl in my class who makes me uncomfortable, but I like the class. Should I change classes for something different, or just tolerate the classmate who hates me?
    Community Answer
    If you like the class, try to talk with the teacher after class about getting a new seating arrangement away from the other classmate, or to have them sit on the opposite side of the classroom. If the other student is still bothering you, go to the teacher again, or above her to the administrative staff, such as the principal. Someone on the staff should be able to help resolve your issue; guidance counselors are also good to talk to about this.
  • Question
    I told a friend that I don't want to be her friend anymore, and she has tried every way to get me back since then. She won't stop no matter how many times I have told her to. What do I do about it?
    Community Answer
    Speak to a trusted adult about the situation, and try to avoid your ex-friend whenever possible.
  • Question
    How do I avoid a bossy flatmate?
    Community Answer
    The best way to deal with this kind of person is to always be unflappable; don't let them get under your skin. Be the bigger person and smile. If the behavior continues, tell your roommate that they need to learn to respect you more. They're your flatmate, not your parent.
  • Question
    How do you avoid someone in your sports practices?
    Community Answer
    You're just going to have to make the best of it. Avoid being near them whenever possible, and when it's not, be polite. Don't speak negatively about the other person to your teammates; you'll make the situation worse.
  • Question
    How can I tell my best friend I don't like her boyfriend?
    Community Answer
    First, maybe you should think about why you don't like him. If you get a funny feeling about him, hang around that person for a while and see if you still have that feeling. If you still do, don't suppress a bad feeling, and tell your best friend this, with reasons why you feel this way.
  • Question
    How do I face my mother when she often makes me cry and feel bad?
    Community Answer
    Maybe, you could actually tell her the way you feel when she yells at you. If she doesn't understand, maybe you could talk with other members of the family.
  • Question
    How do I avoid someone I don't want to talk to who thinks I am her friend?
    Community Answer
    You'll find some helpful advice in wikiHow articles Politely Stop Being Friends With Someone and Tell Someone You Do Not Want to Be Friends .
  • Question
    How do I avoid people I don't want to talk to who are harassing me?
    Community Answer
    Just ignore them. Don't make eye contact with them or give in to their taunting. Your health and happiness comes before them.
  • Question
    How do I get someone to back off from talking to me online politely?
    Community Answer
    If someone is harassing you online, don't worry about being polite. Tell them you're not interested in talking to them anymore and block them. Do the same even if you're just worried that someone might not be who they say they are. If it's someone you actually know, either just stop responding to their messages, give them only one-word responses until they get bored, or just tell them you're busy and can't talk.
  • Question
    How can I make people on the bus leave me alone?
    Community Answer
    Put on headphones or earbuds, or just ignore them. They're probably just trying to get a reaction. If someone is harassing you, tell the bus driver.
  • Question
    What should I do if a new friend of mine has gone from behaving nicely to acting nosy and bossy?
    Community Answer
    Try talking to them about their behavior. Be calm and polite, and be specific about what's bothering you. If they don't respond to your criticism or change their behavior, this may not be a good friend for you. If you're nervous about having this conversation, ask an adult to help you.
  • Question
    What should I do when I have to talk to someone about a project and I really don't want to?
    Community Answer
    Just get the conversation over with quickly. Plan out ahead of time what you need to say. If possible, you can even plan what part of the project you want to do and what part you want them to do so you can basically just give them instructions. Remember that you have to do this, even though you don't want to.
  • Question
    How do I avoid people at school if it's a small school?
    Community Answer
    Just try to keep yourself looking busy when you see that person coming down the hall. Take out your phone or a book or just look in another direction and pretend to be deep in thought. If they approach you, just tell them you have to be somewhere and walk away.
  • Question
    What do I do if someone is gossiping behind my back?
    Community Answer
    Calmly explain that you know that they are gossiping about you. They may get embarrassed or they may deny it. If they deny it, then just roll your eyes and walk away. They may keep gossiping about you but the best way is to just ignore the person from now on. At least now they're aware that you know. You could also ask trusted people to call out the gossiper whenever they hear the gossiping.
  • Question
    How do I avoid getting into relationship with someone I am not interested in?
    Community Answer
    Tell them you are not interested and do not wish for a relationship. Be polite and explain that it's not something you want. No one can force you to be a relationship you don't want to be a part of.
  • Question
    How do I tell a friend I am mad at that I don’t want to talk to them? And how do I tell them to not call me?
    Community Answer
    Just say that you need some space. If this seems rude, just politely tell them that if you talk right now, you might hurt someone as you are feeling very angry.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article