I hate running into acquaintances. Well, if you're on the go and you just pass by saying a quick "hi" that's not bad. What's bad is when you have to sit there and "catch up" when obviously, if you really wanted to know what was going on in their lives you would have made an effort long ago to be more than just acquaintances.

And there are 2 types of acquaintances. One: You used to be friends with them, and eventually just drifted apart. To catch up with them isn't bad, because wanting to know how they're doing can be genuine. Two: Your relationship has always been just that of an acquaintance. You see their face often enough to have to say a polite "hello" but you never had a real conversation.

That's the kind of acquaintance I ran into yesterday. She used to come to my church and I never really talked to her besides the occasional "hello" and "you look nice today," but even that you just say to break the silence. She's older and hung out with the Korean young adults when I was in high school. So she was standing right next to me on the Muni yesterday right before we got off. She lives in the same neighborhood, so we would have to walk together part of the way. So after a polite "hi" and asking her about her job and a few mundane comments about being really tired, she said, "I'm a little lazy today so I think I'll just wait for the bus" when the walk is less than 10 minutes. Whether it was an excuse or a lie, I wasn't at all offended. I was actually thankful that she saved me from making forced conversation when I know I'll just forget and ask her the same thing next time I run into her.