The "F" List

Do you ever get the feeling your on the outs with somebody in your life? Without being specific...have you ever just known you are on someone's fecal list? You can just tell when you're in the same room with them, the way they avoid eye contact, or cut you off in mid-speech, or the way they dismissively blow you off? Yah...it hurts.

Whether deservedly or undeservedly you have made "The List." You may be at the bottom or the top of someone's "most undesireable people to be around" list ...so how do you get off?

#1. If an apology is in order, apologize, but only after an appropriate amount of cool off time has past. And remember, forgiveness is a process.

#2. Law low. Try hard not to step on their toes again quickly.

#3. Give the other person space. They really don't want to see your ugly mug unless absolutely necessary...at least until the initial "murder, death, kill" feelings have passed.

#4. Maintain allies. When you're on someone's list, make sure you cater favor with an ally should the need arise to jump ship and seek safe harbor elsewhere.

#5. In case of unforeseen retribution on part of the list keeper, have 911 on speed dial. Hey, you never know.

#6. Be on your best behavior (AKA "kiss up"). When you've teed somebody off, try really hard to be proactive and do everything well that you normally do in relationship to the person who has The List.

#7. Stow that cheesy, apologetic smile. When someone is disgusted with you the last thing they need coming from you is insincere, cheesy vibes.

#8. Bring your "A" game. Be extra nice to everyone around you, and maybe they might say nice things about you to the person you've managed to tick off.

#9. Be professional. Don't escalate the situation by taking offense at the other person's reaction to you. Take the high road.

#10. Don't be a hostage. When all else fails and you have apologized and the person still won't forgive you after a reasonable amount of time, it may be time to move on and cut your losses. Nobody likes to be somebody else's beeach.