the glimmer of recognition club

Did you ever run into someone whom you’ve met before, but didn’t know well, and when you acknowledge them in some way, there’s a glimmer of recognition in their eye, then they turn away?

And you’re left saying to yourself, “I know they recognized me!”

Yeah. They did. But they just didn’t give you the courtesy of acknowledgement. Or perhaps you’ve done this before? (Although I hope not…)

My sister and I say that they’re members of the Glimmer of Recognition Club. Or the GRC for short.

Who knows the reason why people do this. Maybe they don’t know where they recognize you from. Could be that they feel foolish or insecure saying hello, especially in the event that you might engage them in conversation and they don’t really recall where they know you from. Or maybe they’re just jerks. Or some combination of those options.

Don’t be that person. No GRC for us. Just smile, and maybe even say hi.

Even if you’re concerned that they may start to chat you up and you have no idea who the hell they are, other than the fact that you might recognize them from somewhere, so what? It’s simple. If they start to chat you up, tell them that you recognize them but can’t recall from where. Done.

Whatever the case, don’t join the GRC. Nope. No glimmer of recognition without a follow-up. If you so much as think you recognize someone, at the very least acknowledge them with a smile. It won’t hurt anything. In fact, it may help. Help them, help you, help humanity. Yup. Just by acknowledging a fellow human being we improve the state of things, the state of humanity.

Let’s do away with the Glimmer of Recognition Club, one friendly greeting at a time. And improve the state of humanity while we’re at it.