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Awkward Silences

Discussion in 'Whatnots' started by Dice, Apr 20, 2013.

  1. Dice

    Dice ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    I'm usually very good at talking with people. I can often get strangers to open up to me and share aspects of their lives.

    A number of weeks ago however, I ended up meeting someone who I'd met through FB but not in real life and I found the situation awkward and wasn't sure how to get past that. So I was wondering if any of you had any ideas about what to say in those awkward silences that sometimes happen when you are talking to someone new.
     
    Dice, Apr 20, 2013
    #1
  2. Vorona

    Vorona Shadow-Whisperer

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    No idea. I'm terrible at small talk and getting conversations going. Once they've started, I'm good at continuing them, but not initiating them. My mom, on the other hand, is an absolute pro at it.

    Speaking of awkward silences . . . there are no silences more awkward than those that occur onstage as teenage actors try desperately to remember their lines . . . and fail. Tonight was interesting, to say the least (our play was tonight).
     
    Vorona, Apr 20, 2013
    #2
  3. joacqin

    joacqin Confused Jerk Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I am allergic to awkward silences. I never let them last longer than a few seconds and then I say whatever pops into my head. Sometimes it can be pretty strange things.
     
    joacqin, Apr 20, 2013
    #3
  4. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    The funny thing I've noticed is that silences are only awkward between people who are not already familiar with one another. Silence is normal when you're not concentrating on it :)
     
    Blackthorne TA, Apr 20, 2013
    #4
    Saber likes this.
  5. Arkite

    Arkite Crash or crash through Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Once met with somebody I hadn't seen for a long time but we'd sorta kept in touch online, however the conversations were never that long. Anyway when we met we didn't have much to say, only after the fact did I think that if we didn't have anything to say online, why did I think we'd have anything to say face to face...
     
    Arkite, Apr 21, 2013
    #5
  6. Gaear

    Gaear ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful

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    The contemplation of awkward silence can only lead to further awkward silence. ;)

    Seriously, I never understood this sort of thing (though I acknowledge it's common). If you have nothing to talk about, then don't talk about anything. That should give you a hint about potential compatibility right there. :p
     
    Gaear, Apr 21, 2013
    #6
  7. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    It's usually more a case of talking for some time and then running out of thread, despite wanting to continue. You can only chat for so long with someone you don't know very well before it's dead obvious you're coming up with new topics just to keep the conversation going. If it doesn't happen spontaneously, I don't think there's any way to force it that won't be just as awkward as silence. It's a two way street, if the other talker doesn't participate in equal measure and come up with topics to discuss as well, it's obviously you're going to run out of things to say sooner rather than later.
     
    Taluntain, Apr 21, 2013
    #7
  8. Darion

    Darion Resident Dissident Veteran BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Be silent to begin with....and the awkward won't matter.
    ;)
     
    Darion, Apr 21, 2013
    #8
    Bladezuez and Dice like this.
  9. Dice

    Dice ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    Personal attitude seems to be the key. Don't give a shirt and nothing is awkward :D. Alcohol seems to fuel it. :p
     
    Dice, Apr 22, 2013
    #9

  10. Gafonator Gems: 1/31
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    yeah, that don't give a **** is kinda a solution... I mean you can experience a cool silence where u understand? ...so why bother it seems akward other times? Just don't mind it a let go...
     
    Gafonator, Oct 28, 2013
    #10
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