Psychology says avoiding someone you know in public isn’t always social anxiety

 Many individuals choose to avoid eye contact with familiar faces in public spaces to evade unforeseen interactions. This behavior can stem from various motivations, including feeling rushed or distracted. Studies suggest that some individuals may grapple with social anxiety, prompting them to steer clear of direct visual engagement. When comparing curated meet-ups to chance encounters, the difference in expected interactions is evident. Many individuals choose to avoid eye contact with familiar faces in public spaces to evade unforeseen interactions. This behavior can stem from various motivations, including feeling rushed or distracted. Studies suggest that some individuals may grapple with social anxiety, prompting them to steer clear of direct visual engagement. When comparing curated meet-ups to chance encounters, the difference in expected interactions is evident.