How to Ignore Someone: 15+ Tips for Ignoring Someone Anywhere

Ignoring someone can be tough, especially if you can't stop running into the person you're trying to avoid, or if they keep trying to talk to you and don’t get the memo. But if you really want to ignore someone, you just have to look busy, change your routine, and cut off all contact with that person. We spoke to various psychiatrists and psychologists to teach you how to ignore someone with your body language, technology, and in different social settings.

How to Ignore People

Licensed clinical psychologist Gera Anderson, PsyD, says to create physical and emotional distance from the person you’re trying to avoid. Stop answering their calls and texts, and avoid going places you often see them. If they approach you, acknowledge them, but quickly redirect your attention elsewhere.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Use Body Language to Ignore Someone

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Don't make eye contact. Avoiding eye contact is the best way to ignore someone. Once you lock eyes, you're acknowledging that you know that person exists and are blowing your cover. If the person you want to ignore is near you, avoid their eyes at all costs by making eye contact with everyone but them, looking straight ahead, or even looking at the floor.
- If the person is shorter than you, then just stare right over their head. If they’re taller than you, make sure not to look up.
- If the person is the same height as you and standing nearby, try blurring your vision so you have a "dead" look in your eyes if you do lock eyes by accident.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Sabrina Grover, LMSW, is a licensed master social worker who specializes in dialectical, narrative, and cognitive behavioral therapies.

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS, is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with families, children, and couples. He has over 30 years of experience.

Allison Broennimann, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in in-depth psychotherapy to give patients treatments for anxiety, depression, and relationship problems, among other things.

Kirsten Thompson, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in helping patients with mental health conditions like ADHD, anxiety, major depressive disorder, OCD, and more.

Gera Anderson, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in integrated behavioral health, neuropsychological assessment, and pain management. She has over 5 years of experience.
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Walk as quickly as you can if you’re near them. This will show that you're a busy person with places to go, and that you have no intention of lingering around to catch up with the person you're ignoring. Walk with your arms at your sides and your head held high, like you're staring ahead at your next goal, even if you're really not going anywhere special.
- If you see that person approaching from a distance, leave enough space between you so you don't brush up against them.
- Don't go out of your way to walk away from that person. If you cross the street or duck into a hallway, that will make it look like you care too much. But if you see them from afar and you're sure they don't see you, walk in the other direction.
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Cross your arms and legs to appear "closed off." If you happen to be near the person, fold your arms over your chest, cross your legs, slouch, and do anything you need to do to look completely unapproachable. Your body should say, "Don't talk to me, buddy," and hopefully the person will get the message.
- Don't smile, either. Keep a straight face, or even a frown, to look like you don't want to talk to anyone.
- You can also go for the creepy blank look on your face—that will scare anyone off from trying to talk to you.
- If you have longer hair, bangs, or a hat, try to keep part of your face covered to discourage the person from trying to make eye contact.
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Keep your body busy. As an alternative to looking closed off, you can also just look really, really busy, like you couldn't possibly talk to that person because you have your hands full and don't have a second to spare for a silly conversation with him.
- If you're with friends, turn toward them and gesture wildly, looking so animated that you couldn't possibly stop to talk to the person you're ignoring, let alone to look at them.
- If you're alone, look engrossed in a book, magazine, or a textbook. You can even quietly read the words to yourself, looking like you're intent on memorizing them.
- Keep your hands full. Whether you're walking or sitting, hold your phone, textbooks, or even an unwieldy potted plant. This will discourage the person from trying to talk to you.

Section 2 of 5:

How to Ignore Someone Using Technology

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Look at your phone when you’re near them. Scroll through your favorite apps or websites to look busy whenever you see the person you’re trying to ignore. Talk to someone else on the phone, laughing wildly, or look engrossed in an intense text message exchange with someone you actually want to talk to.
- Change your phone number so the person can't call or text you.
- Block that person's number from your phone so you can't receive messages from them.
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Wear headphones and play music to tune them out. Invest in some headphones, and wear them at all times when you're alone, even if you're not listening to music. When you see the person you’re trying to ignore, turn your music up and bounce your head to the beat, so you look completely absorbed in your tunes, with absolutely no time to waste on them.
- If you want to be really annoying, close your eyes and sing along to the music, giving the person you're ignoring almost no chance to talk to you.
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Avoid the person’s social media posts, texts, and emails. Ignoring someone online is even easier than ignoring them in person because you don't have to physically avoid them. To ignore someone online, Dr. Anderson says to stop responding to their calls and texts.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Gera Anderson, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Expert Interview} Don’t respond to any of their emails, social media posts, messages, or any other attempts to contact you online.^{[2]
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- Block that person from any of your social networks if you really want to ice them out. Make sure they have no way of reaching out to you online.
- Change your email address and other usernames if you have to. That person should have no way of contacting you online if you don’t want them to.

Section 3 of 5:

Changing Your Routine to Ignore Someone

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Find a new walking route. If you want to ignore someone by changing your routine, the easiest thing to do is to change your walking route so you no longer bump into that person. If you always bump into them between classes, take the long way to get to your next class so you don't have to see them. If you always run into that person at work, start using a different hallway or bathroom to minimize contact.^{[3]
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- If you always see that person when you're walking, no matter where you go, start driving, biking, busing, or Ubering to places.
- If that person seems to have changed their walking routine to fit yours, keep changing yours until they give up.
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Avoid that person's favorite hangout spots. This one is a no-brainer. If you know that person's favorite bars, restaurants, and parks, just don't go there anymore. It won't be worth it, unless you want to spend the whole time there actively ignoring that person.^{[4]
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- Learn the days when that person goes out. If they only go to their favorite restaurant on weekends, and you really want to go there, just go during the week.
- If that person only goes to a certain bar during happy hour, just hang out there later at night.
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Go places that person will never go. If that person is a meat lover, start checking out the vegetarian restaurants in your area. If they hate jazz, check out the latest jazz concert in your area. If they're mortal enemies with one of your friends, then that friend's parties are a great place to escape that person.^{[5]
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- By actively going to places where that person will never go, you're not only ignoring them but also seeking out newer, cooler hangouts that don't involve them.

Section 4 of 5:

How to Ignore Someone in Any Setting

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At school, ask to switch seats and walk different routes in the halls. Ignoring someone at school can be tricky, especially if you share all of your classes with that person, but you can still find a way to ignore someone in school without being too obvious about it.^{[6]
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Research source} Here's how to do it:
- If you normally sit next to that person in class, switch your seat. If you have assigned seats, talk to your teacher and ask if you can change.
- If you see that person in the cafeteria, see if you can sit in a new place.
- If you run into that person in the hallways, just look straight ahead, like you're so focused on getting to your next class that you didn't even notice.
- If that person asks you a question in class, just look away and pretend that it didn't happen. If you’re forced to work with them, keep interactions short and focused on the work in front of you.
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At work, avoid common areas where you know the person will be. Ignoring someone at work can be difficult because it's likely that you sit near that person or even work on projects with them. Still, there are a few things you can do to minimize contact, like:^{[7]
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- Avoid the break room or kitchen when that person is there. Learn when they go in the kitchen to get their lunch or for a refill of coffee, and keep a different eating and caffeine-drinking schedule.
- If you sit near them, stay focused on your computer, and keep a stack of papers at your desk so you can always look really engrossed by them instead of looking up at the person.
- If you really have to talk to that person to get some work done, do it. It may be tough, but it’s not worth jeopardizing your job. Besides, they may be even more annoyed if you talk to them at work and then ignore them completely after work.
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In other settings, act like the person doesn’t exist. Act as if the person you’re ignoring doesn’t exist. Don’t acknowledge them in the slightest. Keep your eyes, hands, and body away from them, and if they approach you, act like they aren’t there. Don’t be afraid to lean on your friends and try to stay as far away from that person as possible, even if you're in the same room.
- Talk with your friends and laugh it up like you're having the most hilarious conversation in the history of the world.
- If the person comes near you and there's music playing, grab a friend and start rocking out on the dance floor. If the person still approaches you, close your eyes like you're really feeling the music.
- If that person is standing in your circle, be extra engaged with everyone else around you. When that person talks, scratch your ear or check your phone—act like nothing is happening.

Section 5 of 5:

How to Ignore Someone You Love

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If you’re breaking up for good, cut all contact. Board-certified psychiatrist Kirsten Thompson, MD, says to “cut off all contact with the person indefinitely.” According to Thompson, the occasional check-up texts and calls, scrolling through their social media, and keeping tabs on them don’t allow your body and mind to adapt to a life where they’re not involved.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Kirsten Thompson, MD
Board Certified Psychiatrist

Expert Interview}
- This can go for a partner or a loved one. Cutting contact is useful in many situations.
- Reader Poll: We asked 775 wikiHow readers how they use social media after a breakup, and 50% said they block their ex and make their profiles private. [Take Poll]
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Create boundaries and a timeline if you’re temporarily ignoring them. Clinical psychologist Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS, says to “create boundaries and a timeline. When you meet those expected limits, then allow yourself the text freedom. Boundaries are an important aspect of any healthy relationship.”^{[9]
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Expert Source

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
Clinical Psychologist

Expert Interview}
- Communicate these boundaries to your partner so they aren’t in the dark, but there’s no need to give them the satisfaction of continuing the conversation.
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Resist the urge to contact them by filling your time with something else. If you get the urge to reach out to them, Dr. Brown says to “find something else to focus your attention on. Do not combat this impulse or craving. Reengage in finding something else to occupy your mind, your thoughts, and your perceptions.”^{[10]
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Expert Source

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
Clinical Psychologist

Expert Interview}
- Matchmaker and certified life coach Christina Jay, NLP, suggests working out and spending time with family and friends. “Go on a trip and clear your head. A change of scenery may be helpful,” she says.^{[11]
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  Christina Jay, NLP
  Matchmaker & Certified Life Coach
  
  Expert Interview}
- Licensed master social worker Sabrina Grover, LMSW, says to take up self-care activities.^{[12]
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  Sabrina Grover, LMSW
  Licensed Master Social Worker
  
  Expert Interview}
- Grover also says to focus your energy on yourself instead of the person who has hurt you. Invest in new hobbies, new friends, new people, and new activities.^{[13]
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  Expert Source
  
  Sabrina Grover, LMSW
  Licensed Master Social Worker
  
  Expert Interview}
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Reach out to other loved ones for support, if needed. Ignoring someone you love is hard, so clinical psychologist Allison Broennimann, PhD, says to “ask for support from friends or family, and surround yourself with things that help you remember how much you are loved.” By getting love from the people around you, you won’t feel the urge to seek love from the person you’re ignoring.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Allison Broennimann, PhD
Clinical Psychologist

Expert Interview}
- Dr. Broennimann says that “if you don’t have [loved ones to reach out to], focus on loving yourself.”^{[15]
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  Allison Broennimann, PhD
  Clinical Psychologist
  
  Expert Interview}

Community Q&A

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How can you get someone's attention if they are ignoring you?

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You don't. If they don't want to be a part of your life, don't force it. It's not worth it.

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In my elementary school, we can't ask to change seats, so how do I avoid them?

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Try and put something in between you like a book, or try to move your chair as far away as possible. Ignore them and just pretend they are not there. Avoid them like you don't know them at all.

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How can I ignore someone instead of liking them?

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Block him, avoid him and stay clear of him at all costs until it becomes a habit. Think of things you do not like about him and focus on that instead of the reasons you did like him.

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Tips

Make sure that you have a good reason to ignore this person. If you ignore a person for no reason, it sends mixed signals, especially if you used to be friends. They might not even know what they did wrong.

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Stay away if the person is trying to come closer to you. Stay busy in front of that person whenever they're around you.

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If the person you're ignoring has tempted you back into communication, just "ride the wave" of desire, which will rise and fall, and let the urge pass. Usually, waiting ten minutes is long enough to remember all the reasons you chose to ignore them in the first place.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Don't ignore people if they are willing to make up for their mistakes and don't give your friends or romantic partner the cold shoulder to punish them. That's passive-aggressive and cruel. Ignore people who ignore you, hate you, gossip about you, or manipulate you. Confront them in a firm, calm manner if you need to, and then never look back. Make new friends and interests. Show that you are happy without them.
Don't go near the person you're trying to ignore. If they start walking toward you, just walk away as fast as possible. If they try to talk to you, say you have to go somewhere or you have something important to do. If they ask if they can talk to you later, say you can't for the rest of the month or two because of something very important that you can't miss. Eventually, they'll take the hint.
Know when to quit ignoring someone. The person might be a problem, but they are only human, and ignoring a person can have really negative effects on their mental health. If you have a problem with someone just say so, so they'll know. After that, if you wish, keep ignoring them.
Avoid making eye contact with the person you're trying to ignore. If you do, they may see you and try to talk to you, and it might feel awkward or weird. Best to pretend you don't see them when you come across them in a crowd or public place.

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Warnings

Ignoring someone who really wants to talk to you is deeply hurtful and causes the person real emotional harm. Before you start ignoring someone, make sure they really deserve it.^{[16]
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