The Nod

There’s this guy that works in my building — I don’t know his name and I don’t know what department he works for. All I really know is that he looks like a guy I used to go to high school with, and because of that I give him “the nod” every time we pass in the hallway. The thing is, he never gives me “the nod” back. And it’s not like we don’t make eye contact. We do. He sees me and I see him. Then I give him “the nod” as if to say, “Hey,” and then he gives me no nod in return.

I run into this guy about three times a week, and I’ve been here 18 weeks. That means I’ve nodded at him almost 50 times and not got a response back yet.

Our passing last Friday was quite noticeable. Our eyes locked. When I gave the nod, he averted his eyes. That’s it, I decided. No more nodding. From this point forward I am making a conscious decision NOT to nod at this guy!

On the way back from lunch today I walked past the nice Chinese custodian woman in the hallway and saw “him” coming toward me. “No nod for you,” I thought to myself. “Just look down, keep looking down,” I repeated.

And then, for the first time, I heard him spoke.

“Hello, Zhong Shee,” he said. What he said didn’t click until the cleaning lady responded. “Hello,” she said back.

Are you kidding me? He greets the cleaning staff but won’t acknowledge me? That’s some BS, right there.

Is there any way to “un-nod” someone? I’m talking my 50 nods back.