What do you do when you keep passing the same person in your office? There are days when you seem to continuously bump into this one person, as if s/he's timing your washroom times to "accidentally" meet you as you're on your way somewhere.

Ok, let's assume you know this person a little, and you've chatted; so, you're not complete strangers. Because you can ignore someone you don't really know. We also assume that the "counter" is reset each day, so in the morning of that workday, you're starting anew.

So, this is how it roughly works for me:

1st encounter> Hey Bob, good morning. How's it going? (and we chat for a bit)
2nd encounter> Hey. (because I know how it's going, no need to dwell on the subject)
3rd encounter> [nod, salute, smile]
Nth encounter> [nod, then quickly avoid eye contact]

As the day goes on, I start to realize that it's better to stay in my cubicle to avoid Bob. And it's even worse when you pass each other in a long hall, where you're watching him come your way for what seems like HOURS just finding a way to avoid another awkward hallway-meeting moment.

And I give that cheesy captain's salute... And each time after I do it, I always say to myself "WHY did I just give that cheesy captain's salute?? Fine, I won't do THAT again." But I always do. Each time around, it's always "Aye Aye, Mate!" Kills me.