My teacher is a bit too friendly.
I didn’t have much of a connection with my male arts teacher until one day, after finals, I was walking to the canteen when he stopped to say hello. We had a brief chat, and from then on, every time I passed him in the hallway, he would greet me like we were best friends. It was nice at first, but it soon became a bit overwhelming because I kept running into him, making things feel awkward. I started pretending not to see him, but he just wouldn’t take the hint, playfully saying, “Hii! Trying to pretend you didn’t see me?”
This year, I have him for arts again, and since I’m the only one really engaged in his lessons, he asked me to be his class assistant, which I agreed to. I go to his office to submit our art projects, and whenever it’s time for me to leave, he always tries to keep the conversation going, prompting me to say I need to go to lunch to wrap things up.
Once during lunch, he spotted me in the canteen and insisted on treating me to something. I tried my best to decline politely, but he wouldn’t give up, so I finally agreed. After he bought me the food, I went to sit with my friends, and he jokingly remarked, “Wah, I treat you to something and you leave me?” I smiled and explained that I really wanted to join my friends, to which he replied, “Fine, fine.”
I want to clarify that I don’t think he’s creepy; I just prefer not to be friends with him.
It sounds like you’re in a bit of an uncomfortable situation. It’s great that you appreciate his enthusiasm and friendliness, but it’s important to set boundaries that make you feel comfortable. You could try having a direct but respectful conversation with him, letting him know that while you appreciate his kindness, you prefer to keep your relationship more professional. You could also limit the time you spend in conversations or keep your interactions focused on class-related topics. It’s okay to prioritize your comfort and space—just be honest and clear about it!