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Should I say hello to my former students if I see them around campus?


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When I was a student, I would always say hello to my professors, current and former. Most of the time they'd give an awkward "hi" and I figured it was because they did not remember me. More likely because they felt awkward talking to me specifically, but I always thought it was a compliment to show someone that you remember them, so I looked on the positive side and always said hello to all my professors.

 

Now I am a teacher and I have ran into a few of my former students on campus and I tried saying hello. To my shock, they almost never reply. They just ignore me. And I try to say hello to only the students who were nice to me during the time we were forced to tolerate each other.

 

One time I had a student who was really nice to me and would always try to discuss physics, philosophy and the future of space travel and technology with me. He ended up working as a tutor for me the next semester. Then, after the summer, I ran into him in the hall near the classroom where I teach and I said hello. He was with a friend and just sort of looked at me funny and continued walking.

 

I guess I won't be doing that anymore. Maybe if I notice somebody I know in the hall I should just pretend to be looking off into the distance and walk by. What are your thoughts on this?

Edited by Eddy Street
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WonderWoman911

From me responding to one of your prior threads, I would only speak to the students who speak to you first or those you had a positive relationship with. But other than that, in my opinion,don't feel pressured to speak.

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I always had a smile & a hello for my present & former students. When I would chat with my present students it tended to be shorter & focused on the subject matter. With former students I would often ask about other classes or plans for the future. I did have a long conversation with one former student once because our engagement pictures were published side by side in the local Sunday paper. :) I am very friendly (as in hang out, go places & chat) with a few former instructors from grade school through grad school so after the course work is through I have no problem with student / teacher friendships.

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I guess this is a non-issue. There is nothing moral or otherwise that says I should even look at them beyond the time we are forced to tolerate each other.

 

One of my problems is that I'm way too friendly for my own good.

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I think you just smile or nod. That way, they have to be looking at you to get the greeting. It won't interrupt whatever conversation they have going on or whatever. I think it's horrible so many of them are rude to you.

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