The “long approach” is one of the most simple yet challenging social interactions in existence. You’ve likely experienced it. You’re walking along a sidewalk or long hallway, and in the distance you recognize someone you know walking in the opposite direction. Acquainted enough for them not to be a stranger, but not enough to merit an entire conversation, you get ready for a brief, pleasant acknowledgment of their existence. But the distance between you creates a conundrum. You’ve cleared all thoughts in preparation for the interaction, but are faced with an abundance of time before the two of you meet. Suddenly, you find yourself analyzing the most trivial things.
Do I say hi? Hello? Hey man? What’s up? Silent head nod? Upward or downward? Who goes first? Should I go now? No, too soon. Now? How about now?
I found myself in this situation the other day. I was at a client site, one I don’t visit that often, and was walking out of the break room. The office has an “open” layout – no cubicles or offices, just clusters of desks – and I could see someone walking toward me from afar. He was someone I’d had a brief meeting with nearly 6 months ago, and though I hoped he’d change direction, it became clear that he too was headed for a break.
A few seconds later, we eventually neared each other, and my thoughts now in a mess, I bumbled out the first word that popped into my head.
“Good.”
Note to self: Real life isn’t Jeopardy. Questions first, then answers.
