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Sometimes you simply don't want to engage with people—we've all been there! You might want to look unapproachable because you are busy, annoyed by the person trying to approach you, or trying to prevent unwelcome advances by strangers. No matter what the reason, it's totally possible to become more unapproachable and look standoffish so people leave you alone, and we've put together some tips to help you out.
Steps
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Cross your arms over your chest. This is an easy way to seem unapproachable. Simply stand or sit with your arms crossed in front of your chest. Holding this pose for a few minutes will send the signal that you do not want to be approached. [1] X Research source
- For example, if you are trying to look unapproachable at school or work, cross your arms. This will send a nonverbal message that you do not want people to approach you.
- If you usually have your arms crossed, then this might not be very effective on its own. You might need to adjust your body in other ways.
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Slump when sitting or standing to indicate a lack of interest. Poor posture is another strong indicator that you are not interested in talking. Adopt a slumped posture while sitting or standing. Allow your abdomen to relax and round your back so that you are hunched over slightly. The more pronounced the posture, the stronger the signal will be!
- To send a subtle signal to someone, relax your posture and slump slightly.
- To send a stronger signal, slump over as much as possible while sitting or standing, such as by resting your upper body on a desk or table, or rounding your shoulders and looking down at the floor.
- Keep in mind that if you normally have bad posture, this might not be effective on its own. You may need to do other things to look unapproachable.
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Frown or furrow your brow to look unapproachable. Smiling is the easiest way to seem approachable and invite someone to talk with you. Do not smile if you want to seem unapproachable! Scrunch up your eyebrows and frown at the same time send a stronger signal. [2] X Research source
- Keep your face neutral if it is too hard to scowl or frown for a long period of time.
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Avoid making eye contact. Locking eyes with someone sends the message that you are open to conversation. To seem unapproachable, avoid making eye contact with people, even if you can feel them looking at you. Look away, look down, or look at your phone. Do not look at the person! [3] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
- If you accidentally make eye contact, look away immediately. Then, turn and walk away to send an even stronger signal.
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Stare at people intently. If you end up in a situation where you are face-to-face with someone, stare intently at them without blinking or looking away. This tends to make people feel uncomfortable. The person may consider this intense eye contact as a threat. After a few minutes of this, they may take the hint and leave.
- Make sure that you do not smile or indicate friendliness in another way. Keep your face neutral or scowl slightly as you stare.
- Do not talk very much or at all as you do this!
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Sit behind a desk or another type of barrier. Put a physical barrier between yourself and the person who you want to avoid. This sends the message that you are unapproachable. Sit behind a desk or table, or move into a different room to put a wall between you and the person.
- For example, if you are in a café, sit with your back to the wall and a table in front of you.
- If you are at work, sit behind a desk that faces the door or move your things so that you can work in a private room.
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Stand alone in a far off part of the room. Choose the emptiest empty part of the room and sit or stand there. Standing on your own indicates that you don't want to be approached. People will assume that you want to be alone. This may deter them from coming closer. [4] X Research source
- If you are in a restaurant, bar, or café and do not want to be approached, try sitting at a corner table away from other patrons.
- If you are at a dance or other social event, stand on the opposite side of the room from where most of the people are gathered.
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Surround yourself with a group of people. Approaching someone who is standing in a big group of people is intimidating. If you are at a social event, work your way to the center of the crowd. Put as many bodies as possible between you and the person you want to avoid. [5] X Research source
- For example, if you are at a dance or wedding, move to the center of the dance floor or join a large table of people. You don't have to talk or interact with them if you don't want to. Just join in the dancing or grab a seat at the table.
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Say you don't want to talk. If someone approaches you and you don't want to talk, tell them that! Assert your boundaries and say that you are not interested in having a conversation. [6] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source No matter what the situation, be direct and firm about not wanting to have a conversation.
- Even if you are very annoyed by the person, you can politely tell them you'd like to be left alone. You might say, “No thanks. I don't want to talk.”
Say something like…
“It's so nice of you to offer to keep me company, but I really need some alone time right now.”
“I am trying to think through some things. Maybe we can talk another time.”
It was nice to meet you, but I have to be on my way.”
“Sorry, but I don't have time to talk.”
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Give short answers to show that you don't want to talk. Refusing to engage in a conversation will send the message that you do not want to talk. Stick with short, 1-word answers to indicate that you don't want to continue the conversation. Also, avoid asking the other person any questions. [7] X Research source
- For example, if someone approaches you and says, “Hi. My name is Todd. What's your name?” Simply reply with your name and do not offer any other information. Be quiet and continue giving 1-word responses to their questions. After a few minutes of this, the conversation may reach a dead end and the person may leave.
- If the person continues to ask questions, try saying something like, “It was nice to meet you, but I have to get going.” Then, say goodbye and leave.
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Provide too much information to seem off-putting. People get uncomfortable when someone shares lots of personal information. If someone won't leave you alone, start talking about your recent breakup or tell them all about your problems with your landlord. Go into lots of detail and don't allow them to interject. Just keep talking! This should make them uncomfortable and they will likely go away after a few minutes of this. [8] X Research source
- For example, you could say something like, “My ex would hate this place. She was such a snob when it came to bars! If they didn't have a fancy drink menu and mood lighting, I was in for a terrible night. There was this one time when she…” And continue to rant about your ex until the person has had enough and leaves.
- If this does not work either, try saying something like, “Well, thanks for listening to me, but I have to be on my way now! Goodbye!”
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat's a polite way to ask someone to leave you alone if you're not interested in them?Dr. Supatra Tovar is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY #31949), Registered Dietitian, Fitness Expert, and the Owner of Dr. Supatra Tovar and Associates. Dr. Tovar has worked in the fields of health education, clinical dietetics, and psychology. With over 25 years of holistic wellness experience, she practices Holistic Health Psychotherapy. She combines her psychology, diet, and fitness knowledge to help those struggling with depression, weight gain, eating disorders, life transitions, and relationships. Dr. Tovar holds a BA in Environmental Biology from The University of Colorado Boulder, an MS in Nutrition Science from California State University, Los Angeles, and a PsyD in Clinical Health Psychology from Alliant International University, Los Angeles.Be direct. If someone is flirting with you, making innuendos, or asking you out, state directly that this is something that makes you feel uncomfortable and you would kindly like it to stop. Use your manners. Just because you are irritated or uncomfortable doesn’t mean your good manners have to go the wayside. Tell them something nice about themselves, notice something good about them, and always use your please and thank-yous. Be firm. If the person has a hard time hearing you say no, be firm and resolute. You really only need to say it once. Make your statement definitive: “I am saying no and this is my final answer” is one example. Set boundaries. If you feel that the message still isn’t coming across it is time to set a boundary. Politely state you would like no further contact and that you are ending the conversation and walk away. If you must see the person again, state that you will not have this discussion again and ask the person to respect your wishes. Then get the heck out of there!
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Tips
- Try putting on a strong (or even unpleasant) smelling perfume or cologne. The strong smell may help to deter people who approach you from starting or continuing a conversation. [9] X Research source Opt for something floral if you are trying to deter men. Studies indicate that men prefer scents with notes of vanilla and lavender, so avoid these. [10] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/02/02/secret-body-language-dating-social-millionaire-matchmaker/#7b25ff18503d
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/02/02/secret-body-language-dating-social-millionaire-matchmaker/#7b25ff18503d
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/nonverbal-communication.htm
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/02/02/secret-body-language-dating-social-millionaire-matchmaker/#7b25ff18503d
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/02/02/secret-body-language-dating-social-millionaire-matchmaker/#7b25ff18503d
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/effective-communication.htm
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/02/02/secret-body-language-dating-social-millionaire-matchmaker/#7b25ff18503d
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/02/02/secret-body-language-dating-social-millionaire-matchmaker/#7b25ff18503d
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/02/02/secret-body-language-dating-social-millionaire-matchmaker/#7b25ff18503d
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