#1: Hi.

So, I have this thing..

I really like to talk to people and make new friends, since I don't stick to fixed groups anymore - and it is rare for me to judge a person before I know him/her, even though it still happens. The only problem is the opposite way. No, it is not a complex! It's just something I don't know how to change and I don't know if it scares people.

What the hell is it?, you ask?

Greeting.

I know, I know. It sounds stupid. But I am shy, deep inside. And I have two parts of me that are extremely opposite. One, as I said before, is this thing of talking to people and smiling. So I'll be walking around the street, looking everywhere to see if my friends or recent acquaintances are near. And I will find them. The problem is when they see me, and that's where Part Two comes into play.

Let's do some simple maths over here.

I can hardly, HARDLY look at somebody's eyes for more than two and a half seconds. Considering my eyes meet with my friend's when we are 25 meters apart and each two steps (2 meters at most) take one second, can I stare at my partner long enough before saying "Hi, how are you"?

I'll let you think.

... NO. And then both go through the stupid process that takes the whole 6.25 seconds:

1 - Both wave their heads as a sign of recognition.

2 - Before the safe distance, usually one of us is looking at something random while the other stares and thinks of how to approach. In this process, we may take turns depending on the distance and speed.

3 - Reaching the safe distance, both say "Hi" accidentally at the same time, killing the conversation mood right away, causing both to pass each other quickly wearing what I like to call "the blank face after a quick smile".

Another approach (safer) is:

1 - Both see each other but send no sign of recognition.

2 - Before the safe distance, ignoring statement 1, both carefully plan the steps so that the "hi" is unevitable.

3 - Quick "hi', quick smile, no suffering.

But this one is rare and not very common among first year students. They are too scared of everything.

If you are going to comment, PLEASE write:

1 - Do you feel this or think about this as often as I do? Tell me a story. Because I panic.

2 - Any topic I could try to cover on the next post?