Some Of The Tired Excuses Commonly Used To Get Out Of Socializing

Yep, gotta love the Spring and Summer seasons (or simply Summer if you're far enough South). It's when everything and everyone usually comes out and spends more time outdoors.

This being said, there will be people you can't wait to see and spend time with: friends, family, significant others, crushes. Then there are the rest: those that you are trying to avoid like the plague.

You've heard them, you've probably used them, but here are some of the common excuses used to blow off certain folk.

1. Sorry my phone died and I missed your call/text

In the era of smartphones, you would think it would be easier to reach someone. Wrong. It's actually doable to blame not seeing someone on your device, since basically you have everything on it.

2. I'm going out of town

Yeah you stay out of town more than a travel agent. Yet you post updates, location check-ins and pictures of you and other friends.

3.  I fell asleep early

4. I slept in

5. I had an old friend from out of town come in for a few days

6. I forgot my college homecoming/reunion is coming up.

7. I was in the gym or running.

Obviously one of my favorite ones

8. I'm going on vacation

9. I have an exam tomorrow and two papers this week

10. My relative graduates school this week

11.  It's a holiday weekend

OK I will stop here. The bottom line is miss us all with the excuses. If you don't want to make time for someone, tell them discreetly, honestly and clearly. Please constantly stop making yourself unavailable, unless you're the President of the United States.

Good grief indeed Charlie Brown.

What are some other excuses you have heard and/or used?

Life and Social Skills: We All Need Them

What are life skills? They are a combination of different traits and qualities that help us to successfully interact with others in order to achieve a stated goal. 

Some of the most important life skills are people and social skills. Being able to properly communicate with folks is an important but also a dying art.

You can blame various types of technology advances. However, many people were never taught these important skills and nuggets. Nevertheless, these are the very people that are in education, law enforcement, customer service, and management. You have to be able to hold up well in crisis situations and be diplomatic. This is sorely lacking right now.

Being socialable all starts with making eye contact and talking to people in person, not at them or behind a phone or computer. Making that personal connection is crucial.

There is an old saying "good or bad, people will never forget how you made them feel.". This couldn't be more true. We all need to properly choose our battles and words. Often they are impossible to take back once they are out there, especially if the behavior is consistent.

You have those that put up walls and close off others. That is also not good. You need to be inviting and open, instead of alienating and intimidating. Be the person that everyone runs to, instead of runs away from or avoids.

Keeping peace high and hostility low is also key. It takes work to build a trusting, strong line of communication and it must be properly maintained.

In short, be likeable and humble. We have too much negativity in the world. Let's work little by little on breaking this cycle.

How important of a life skill are people skills? Do you think not being a people person puts someone at a disadvantage?