The Stoplight Conversation

So here is something, it is more of social question more than anything. It has happened to me around five times and I am not sure how to handle it.

So a couple of weeks ago I was stopped at a stop light with my windows rolled down enjoying some sweet music and spring air. When next to me I heard, “Hey Rob, how’s it going?”

It was one of my friends from high school who I hadn’t seen for a while.

So we caught up briefly until the light had turned green and then I said, “Well it was so nice seeing you. Good luck with everything, we’ll talk to you later.”

When I said, “We’ll talk to you later”, I didn’t realize it would be within the next minute.

As I drove off thinking our little conversation/reunion was over, I found that as I stopped at the next light my high school friend was right next to me again.

So what do you do?

A-Do you continue with your conversation even though you pretty much closed it at the previous light?

B-Do you just act like you don’t notice that he is there and slowly, very slowly, roll up your window to ensure that no more chit chat occurs between lights.

C-Even though you can see him out of the corner of your eye looking at you, wanting to continue this “stop and go conversation” do you ignore him, because how can you keep up this discussion every block, no matter how intriguing it is?

Because I was on a long stretch of road with a lot of stop lights immediately ahead that would perpetuate more of this awkwardness, I eventually had to turn down a rode to give my friend a big enough head start that I wouldn’t run into him again.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to talk to my old friend but the situation was so awkward, right?

Am I wrong to have done what I did? What is the etiquette when it comes to stop light reunions/conversations?

Gentle readers, who among you has had this happened to you and can offer some advice about what to do. Any advice would be great.

Comments

Ronnie said…
I totally would have done the same.
June 13, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Sara White said…
So, I am a friend from high school, and I would have loved to catch up with you....but I am not sure the stop lights are the place to do it.
June 15, 2009 at 9:40 AM
Bart said…
Five times?!?! You have had the stoplight situation happen around FIVE TIMES? That, gentle friend, is just a little crazy. I'd say you need to simply make sure your car windows are rolled up when you get to traffic lights, because at this rate, it will keep a happenin'.
June 15, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Stacey said…
Don't you just love Bangater Hwy.
June 17, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Megs said…
Rob, I totally feel for you!! This happens to me all the time at the grocery store. You see someone you know, say hi and bye and then before you know it you are meeting again in the pasta isle, then the cereal isle etc. What do you do. Keep saying hi? Just ignore. I hate it. You made a smart move Rob!! Happy Birthday. I think I might be a day late.
June 19, 2009 at 6:18 PM
moffthetoff said…
Feign a phone call! But you didn't hear such rudeness from me!
June 24, 2009 at 5:41 PM
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