My cell phone is my backup. It’s my saving grace. Sometimes I drag it out and pretend to text when I’m walking across campus.

Why is that, you may ask?

Because greeting people when crossing paths for even a second on Baker’s campus is a very precise science. And I’ve noticed students have a lot of different ways of greeting one another on campus.

I’ve always been the type who, for the most part, doesn’t speak unless spoken to. So usually, I wait for the other person to say hello first.

But some aren’t shy like me and will say hi first. And not so much say, but shout. You can hear people saying hello to one another at nearly opposite ends of campus.

But likewise, some hardly say two words to you as you walk down the sidewalk, and they all have fairly creative ways of doing so.

For instance, instead of making eye contact, they will pretend to be looking at something else while they walk past you.

Maybe they will look up at the sky to see if it’s going to rain. Or they might have a stare down with a squirrel. Or maybe they will simply look at the ground.

But is it really likely what they fix their eyes on is intentional? Probably not.

Some give “the smile.” You know, when you greet someone simply by smiling to them. Like that’s supposed to stand for “hi.” No, more like, “I’m going to acknowledge you with as little effort as possible and do so without having to say a single word.”

You might also get “the wave.” Which is pretty much the same thing as “the smile,” except it requires a little bit more muscle to maneuver, especially in the arm category.

Now, I’m sure that’s not what everyone is thinking when they give someone “the smile” or “the wave.” 

Maybe a person just isn't sure whether to actually come out and say hello, so the only thing he or she is capable of doing at the time is evoking a smile or waving an arm. <br/>Last, but not least, is my favorite: the good ole trusty cell phone.Last, but not least, is my favorite: the good ole trusty cell phone.
Last, but not least, is my favorite: the good ole trusty cell phone.

Some people will whip out their phones to begin writing a text, checking for service or maybe looking to see what time it is. Whether the person has a legitimate reason for looking at his or her cell phone while trying to walk across campus is besides the point. It’s yet another way of avoiding eye contact.

So, however you end up choosing to greet your fellow classmates while walking to class, try to avoid whipping out your cell phone to say “hello.”