How to Run Into an Ex-Friend at Any Age

"Nice to see you." But not THAT nice to be honest!

Awkward grocery store run-in about to happen. Photo by Li Lin on Unsplash

How to Bump Into an Ex-Friend (Or how NOT to do it, in my case)

Dear Nina,

What’s your advice on breaking the ice with a former friend who you might have had an unfortunate falling out with. Things weren’t necessarily heated, but you decided to part ways.

Let’s say you see each other at the grocery store and there is no way to act like you didn’t notice one another. It’s hard to imagine doing an awkward wave or head nod with someone who was a friend. You don’t want to be a jerk and ignore anyone, but you’re not trying to strike up the chatty friendship vibe again.

What are some “transitioning out of friendship salutations” if you see each other out and about? Something nice, but not too inviting to cloud the waters you two have already established.

Thanks, “Kasey”

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Dear Kasey,

I find myself in this scenario sometimes, and your question is forcing me to deal with it more gracefully.

Let me tell you about my supreme awkwardness. I will call the friends in my “grocery store moments” Number One, Number Two, and Number Three to keep things straight.