How to Ignore Someone While Pretending to Pay Attention

There are many people who can't be avoided but should nonetheless be ignored. Whether it's a boss making a speech, a rambling co-worker or a boring friend making his latest complaint, it's possible to learn to ignore them and pretend to pay attention. The trick is to mimic the sounds and actions of someone who is paying attention and participating in the conversation.

Instructions

1. Stay in full eye contact while you are ignoring the person. As long as you are looking into their eyes, they will not guess that they are being ignored.

2. Nod convincingly and pretend to agree. Even if you aren't looking directly at the person, if you nod along with whatever they're saying, they will believe you are paying attention. Keep the nodding in the rhythm of the speaking voice. When they speak fast, nod fast. When they slow down, pause in your nodding.

3. Make a few noncommittal noises while they talk. A few "mm-hmm" noises mixed in with a "yeah" here and there will make it seem like you are participating in the conversation. The noises you make don't have to have anything at all to do with the conversation. Simply time the noises so that they fall during the natural breaks in the person's speech.

4. Sit still while the person is talking. If you fidget too much, the person may think you aren't paying attention. Pretend that your stillness is caused by your concentration on what the person is saying rather than by your own daydreaming or concentration on something other than the person talking. Once the person believes you are listening intently, you can ignore them for as long as they continue talking.