...I frigging hate it. When you see someone and you talk to them, but sometimes, you run out of things to say and then there's this weird, awkward silence.

Does this happen a lot to you guys? And, how do you combat it?

What techniques do you use to keep the conversation flowing? LOL.

This obviously doesn't happen to me when I'm with close friends or family members...it usually happens to some of my work colleagues and people who I haven't seen in months/years.

[img:$uid]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n276/squirrelgrease/AnimatedGifs-5/Prince_Nom2.gif[/img:$uid]

Doesn't happen much. If it happens with workplace associates or random people I just say, "OK then, I'll talk to you later." Or soon. Whatever. Just end it and move on. In regards to really close friends or someone I'm intimate with I actually love it. I know I'm really comfortable with someone when I don't feel the need to entertain them or hold a constant conversation.

is that a camel mouth?

You can tell when people begin to stretch out their words.

" YEEEEEEEEEEEEAH MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN"

"WOWWWWWWWW....THATS CRRRRRRRAZZZZZY"

"YEEEEEAH SOOOOOOOOOOO"

"(siiiiiiigh) Mmmm Mm-Mm Mmmm!"

I don't have many awkward silences because I just never start.

FauxReal said:

I don't have many awkward silences because I just never start.

so many problems are solved by having no friends, I find

ZombieKitten said:

FauxReal said:

I don't have many awkward silences because I just never start.

so many problems are solved by having no friends, I find

I have friends, though.

And to be honest I guess there was one semi-awkward silence just today. We weren't really conversing and I guess that was the problem. We were just quietly walking when my friends loudly says "Man, do you EVER shut the fuck up!"

You see it's funny because nobody was actually talking.

FauxReal said:

ZombieKitten said:

so many problems are solved by having no friends, I find

I have friends, though.

And to be honest I guess there was one semi-awkward silence just today. We weren't really conversing and I guess that was the problem. We were just quietly walking when my friends loudly says "Man, do you EVER shut the fuck up!"

You see it's funny because nobody was actually talking.

yes, I know how irony works

Always be polite.

This also means, don't waste folks time and take social cues. Body language plays a part also.

If the person is not engaging you in conversation, then politely say something like:

"Well its been nice seeing you again, but I have to go stand somewhere else now..." make some physical contact, like a handshake or hug and leave.

You just can't talk to people who do not want to be spoken to, after the pleasantries, run!

stupid jumpy cursor!

[Edited 12/22/10 22:32pm]

FauxReal said:

ZombieKitten said:

so many problems are solved by having no friends, I find

I have friends, though.

And to be honest I guess there was one semi-awkward silence just today. We weren't really conversing and I guess that was the problem. We were just quietly walking when my friends loudly says "Man, do you EVER shut the fuck up!"

You see it's funny because nobody was actually talking.

You see it's funnier because he explained it even though it was obvious.

Cerebus said:

FauxReal said:

I have friends, though.

And to be honest I guess there was one semi-awkward silence just today. We weren't really conversing and I guess that was the problem. We were just quietly walking when my friends loudly says "Man, do you EVER shut the fuck up!"

You see it's funny because nobody was actually talking.

You see it's funnier because he explained it even though it was obvious.

awkward silence

squirrelgrease said:

[img:$uid]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n276/squirrelgrease/AnimatedGifs-5/Prince_Nom2.gif[/img:$uid]

ZombieKitten said:

FauxReal said:

I have friends, though.

And to be honest I guess there was one semi-awkward silence just today. We weren't really conversing and I guess that was the problem. We were just quietly walking when my friends loudly says "Man, do you EVER shut the fuck up!"

You see it's funny because nobody was actually talking.

yes, I know how irony works

I know. It was an intentional unnecessary explanation.

FauxReal said:

ZombieKitten said:

yes, I know how irony works

I know. It was an intentional unnecessary explanation.

I thought I already unnecessarily explained that, too.

yyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhuummmmmmmmmmmm

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!!! look at the time!!!

gottago...

Cerebus said:

FauxReal said:

I know. It was an intentional unnecessary explanation.

I thought I already unnecessarily explained that, too.

It's true. You did.

Pr1nceQuik said:

...I frigging hate it. When you see someone and you talk to them, but sometimes, you run out of things to say and then there's this weird, awkward silence.

Does this happen a lot to you guys? And, how do you combat it?

What techniques do you use to keep the conversation flowing? LOL.

This obviously doesn't happen to me when I'm with close friends or family members...it usually happens to some of my work colleagues and people who I haven't seen in months/years.

sometimes it happens... not often... but when it does i just smile like a dork

Cerebus said:

I'm too old to have them, or care about them, or I guess even notice them.

So the answer obviously is, get older.

RodeoSchro said:

I'm too old to have them, or care about them, or I guess even notice them.

So the answer obviously is, get older.

At this point, I'm so comfortable with most of my friends that the silences don't bother me.

Random thought:

It just occurred to me that fancy phones and other gadgets have sort of taken the place of smoking, in terms of giving people something to do to cover awkward pauses. It's a bit of "business" (as we say in the acting game). Instead of lighting or dragging on a cigarette, you just leave your phone on the bar and, if there's a fidgety silence, you pick it up and check the time...or to see if you have any texts...or whatnot.

Genesia said:

RodeoSchro said:

I'm too old to have them, or care about them, or I guess even notice them.

So the answer obviously is, get older.

At this point, I'm so comfortable with most of my friends that the silences don't bother me.

Random thought:

It just occurred to me that fancy phones and other gadgets have sort of taken the place of smoking, in terms of giving people something to do to cover awkward pauses. It's a bit of "business" (as we say in the acting game). Instead of lighting or dragging on a cigarette, you just leave your phone on the bar and, if there's a fidgety silence, you pick it up and check the time...or to see if you have any texts...or whatnot.

it's great having a bunch of 21 year old friends, you never have to bother with small talk - they entertain themselves on your couch while you do what you have to do.

this is why i like messageboards,texting and facebook..face to face or phones not so much...i got time type and think about what i'm gonna say

yeah...well.....um....

yyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhuummmmmmmmmmmm

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!!! look at the time!!!

gottago...

arrrrrrrrrrruuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhh....

purplemookiebut said:

this is why i like messageboards,texting and facebook..face to face or phones not so much...i got time type and think about what i'm gonna say

Exactly!!!

I have those awkward moments all of the time...with aunts, uncles, friends, associates, on the 2 dates I had and even with my sister and we're closer than a nucleus and cytoplasm.

But the thing is, with my sister or close friends we could have awkward silences and everythings cool but with people you're trying to know or whatever it's the most painful thing ever. I've come to face the fact that I'm not at all good when it comes to conversing.

squirrelgrease said:

[img:$uid]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n276/squirrelgrease/AnimatedGifs-5/Prince_Nom2.gif[/img:$uid]

I shit you not, my manager looks exactly like this. It's a damn shame.

BlackAdder7 said:

yeah...well.....um....

er, yeah, i..

XxAxX said:

BlackAdder7 said:

yeah...well.....um....

er, yeah, i..

the thing is..i..yeah.