How to Ignore Everybody Around You

Reviewed by Seth Hall

Last Updated: July 31, 2025 References

You wish to be able to just block out everyone and everything around you and have people avoid conversations, or any form of contact, with you, but you just don't know how. Well, the purpose of this article is to teach you what you need to do to accomplish your goal.

Steps

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Carry a book or electronic device everywhere with you, and make sure to read or use it at all opportune moments.^{[1]
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Be sure that it's portable, and demands the use of two hands and your eyes. This will make the other person think you are busy and will try to avoid interrupting you.

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When possible, answer with a "yes" or "no". Turn back to your work/book immediately afterward, and resume with faked enthusiasm.^{[2]
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Enunciate every word, as if speaking to a simpleton. Openly show your dislike of the constant chatting and end your part of the conversation with something like "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to what I was doing" or "I need to go" and turn away before they have a chance to reply.^{[3]
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Do not get caught staring at anyone, this will almost certainly encourage conversation. And when speaking, look away and go back to whatever you were doing before, unless that person is of a higher authority than you, or has connections with somebody that does.
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Exhibit closed body language. If sitting, hunch over, curl in on yourself, keep your knees together, your feet tucked under you, and your elbows on your thighs. Whatever you are reading/working on should be placed in front of your face, as if to hide it. If standing, cross your arms over your upper torso, keep your gaze focused toward your feet, and shift from foot to foot, as if impatient to leave.^{[4]
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- Reader Poll: We asked 7326 wikiHow readers about the biggest tells that someone doesn’t want to talk to you, and only 6% said having a distant body position. [Take Poll] So, if you want to avoid talking to people, crossing your arms or avoiding eye contact might be a better approach.
Act as if a rain cloud is over your head at all times. Scowl a lot, even more if you truly are in a bad mood. If the situation demands it, have a closed-mouth-smile or a smirk. You may not gain any friends, but that's not what you're after anyway!
Live in your own fantasy world and sit in the corner by yourself. Use your phone for text messaging or calling. Go to the bathroom or out for a pretend smoke (Or real one if you do). Find a way to go home early or act tired.

Community Q&A

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I want to be alone and I want people to leave me alone. How do I block the world out?

Community Answer

Avoid making eye contact and smiling. Wear headphones whenever possible to avoid people who want to start conversations with you.

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How do I block out sounds of many people who are being loud?

Community Answer

If you can't wear headphones and listen to music, try focusing on something like reading, writing, or going on your phone.

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I have hard time ignoring background noise/movements while studying in a public study place. How to cope?

Community Answer

You could try getting some noise cancelling or noise isolating headphones, or listening to some music through headphones to drown out other people's noise (assuming that doesn't also distract you). You could use earplugs as well. Some libraries also have quiet study rooms, where there should be less noise. If none of these are options or none of them work for you, then maybe studying in a public place just isn't for you. Some people study best in private at home.

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Tips

A pessimistic or anti-social view on life wouldn't hurt.^{[5]
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If you do decide to read a book, make sure it is either gloomy looking, or over 200 pages long.

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Make sure you have established friends for life before launching your anti-social behavior.

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