Laurier’s small campus is one of the main reasons we fell in love with this place, but while its close-knit community is a plus on most days, it can feel like an absolute disaster when you’re trying to avoid crossing paths with someone. Whether that someone is a former roommate, ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, hook-up, or group member who didn’t pull their weight, these 10 places are the most common places you will run into them (and probably wish you had stayed in bed instead).
10. The Gym/AC
You’re sweaty, makeup-less, and red in the face and as you make your way over to the mats for some squats, your ex walks into the gym. You try your best to avoid eye contact and stay in the zone, but how can you focus on your barbell squats when you can’t stop hoping said ex doesn’t see you? They always do.
9. The Library
Finals season is a time when your stress levels are at their highest, the amount of time you spend sleeping is at its lowest, and your overall emotional stability isn’t necessarily in existence. That being said, clothing other than sweats, make-up, and (if we’re being honest) daily showers sometimes become optional. Exercise caution when looking for a book, an empty cubicle, or making phone calls in the stairwell. We are pretty sure it is a universal law that you will run into someone you’re trying to avoid when you look or feel your worst, yet run into no one you know when you’re at your best. Extra awkward points for being visibly ill: red, runny, swollen nose, nasally voice, coughing fit, and so on.
8. The Elevator
Whether this is an elevator in the library, Bricker, DAWB, or residence – you never know who might already be in there (or who might get in). At least this is a space where it is socially acceptable to be silent and keep to yourself. Plus side: this awkward encounter (usually) doesn’t last longer than a minute.
7. The Bus
Whether this is the city bus, or the Greyhound/GO bus that you take to get home, this is a very tight space to be trapped with said person. Avoiding eye contact can only save you for so long when the person is only sitting a few feet away. Sometimes your best bet is to give that polite close-lipped smile and just pray they don’t start a conversation. This is usually where your phone dies, so pretending to be on it just makes you look stupid.
6. The Doctor’s Office/The Wellness Centre
A person usually isn’t at such a place for a *good* reason. Even if you’re there for a flu shot, said person might be there for something more serious. Why is the waiting area so small anyway?
5. Class
You rush to your first class of the semester, and, as you’re scanning the classroom for a seat, you make eye contact with that person you hooked up with last semester. Or worse, you don’t realize until your professor takes attendance or you’re assigned to a group with them. Not to mention, presenting in front of that person and the entire class can be completely nerve-wracking and stutter-inducing. Don’t let them ruin your grades by making you feel so awkward that you skip classes or, worse, drop the class entirely. Think about how many other people in the classroom are going through the exact same thing as you.
4. The Bar
Seeing as how Waterloo bars tend to be small, it can feel like you’re at an intimate gathering with said person. To top this off, alcohol is usually playing a role in your anxiety levels or awkward interactions with this person in this setting. Avoid any interactions with someone that you wouldn’t have the idea or courage to if you were sober, because we can almost guarantee it’ll make you cringe tomorrow.
3. The Pregame
Worse than the bar, a pregame can actually be an intimate gathering and due to Laurier’s overlapping social circles. You never know who you might be walking into a room to pre with.
2. Getting Food After the Bar
This is the point in the night where your alcohol levels may be at their highest, and seeing your ex with the girl he left the bar is the last thing you want to see when all you want is a burrito or poutine.
1. The Grocery Store
This is (hopefully) a place that you are encountering with a 0% blood-alcohol level, but this location still takes the number one top spot. This is awkward because you continue to run into them throughout your entire grocery shopping experience. While you might initially run into them when getting a shopping cart, you will have to make small talk when you cross paths again in the cereal aisle, and then again in the frozen aisle.
Laurier’s small campus is great for so many reasons, but constantly running into the people you want to see least is something every Golden Hawk has to deal with.